Baggage Handling

"Oh, save your people and bless your heritage! Be their shepherd and carry them forever." Psalm 28:9

On a trip to Argentina a few months back, one of the wheels on my large suitcase was damaged causing the suitcase not to roll properly.  It became so difficult and cumbersome to get around dragging this enormous broken suitcase everywhere.  Not only that, but my baggage became the problem of everyone around me, too, as they tried to help carry it, lift it, and speed me along with it.  People are so kind and helpful, but a few became impatient that I had not properly dealt with my baggage problem.  I couldn't blame them.

I wonder.

Would you or I happen to have any baggage like that in our own lives?  Maybe it's anger or unforgiveness.  Maybe it's an unhealthy habit or unhealthy thought life.  When we fail to deal with these things properly, they aren't just our own problem.  They become the problem of everyone around us.  People try their best to help us.  They even carry these burdens for us a time or two.  But, this baggage becomes too heavy for them, as well.

But there is a wonderful baggage handler I know.  His name is Jesus.  

Psalm 55:22 tells me exactly what to do with that baggage problem.  It says, "Give your burdens to the Lord. He will carry them. He will not permit the godly to slip or fall" (TLB).

I've found that when I submit all of my baggage to Jesus, He does all the heavy lifting and everything becomes manageable.

Psalm 103:2-5 paints such a beautiful picture of what life is like after we give Him our damaged suitcases, "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's" (ESV).

I'm happy to report that by the next trip, the old broken down suitcase was gone.

Is yours?

Goodnight, Runners.