Excess Baggage

Matthew 11:28-30 – Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. (NIV)

We're in the process of moving, after living in the same house for the past 31 years. I can't believe how much we've accumulated over the years! I'm trying to sort through things as I pack, and not keep anything we don't need. A tall order, to be sure!

As I've been packing, I've been thinking about how much excess baggage we, as Christians, accumulate over the years:

• guilt


• shame


• doubt


• pride


• envy


• worry


• self-pity — just to mention a few.

But we don't have to be burdened down with excess baggage. We have a Saviour who took all our excess baggage — all our sins — to the cross of Calvary. Jesus died on the cross so that we could be free. Let each of us lay our excess baggage at the foot of the cross, and, in so doing, be reminded of the victory that is ours through the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Colossians 2:13b-14 – He forgave us all our sins, having cancelled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. (NIV)

John 8:36 – So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. (NIV)

The chorus of the familiar hymn, "At the Cross" (today's music), sums it up very well:

At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light
And the burden of my heart rolled away —
It was there by faith I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day!

Prayer: Lord, we come to You burdened down with so much excess baggage. We seek Your forgiveness, and pray that You would grant us the strength and the courage to lay all of our burdens and cares at the foot of the cross. Thank You for giving Your life for us so that we can be free — free to become the people You created us to be. Amen.