I once read a book where the luggage of life was described in a simple yet fairly accurate reflection of my life.
This week I’ve wrestled with the message to share. I had one in mind. Actually, I’ve been writing that message for a couple weeks. Today, the message changed.
Luggage –
We all grow up with life experiences that stow away within our hearts and minds as they make their mark on who we are. Some are great. Exciting. Good memories. They leave a positive attribute on their way out.
Others do not. They may leave a little scar that’s barely noticeable over time. And some leave behind dis-figuration that’s unmistakable as it clearly reflects the pain, suffering, and constant reminder of that time in our life.
I thought about our suitcases as we pack them go somewhere. Vacation. Hospital. Grandma’s House. Really, overnight anywhere. So many styles, colors, sizes, and brands but underneath they all serve the same purpose. Carrying our stuff. The stuff we packed to bring along so we could be prepared for wherever we are going.
A lot can happen to luggage and suitcases on a journey. It can be packed just right. Too light. Or, too heavy. The luggage can be lost, delayed, or stolen. Your suitcase might be cute and stylish appearing perfect on the outside but lacking what you need on the inside. Maybe your suitcase is beaten, torn up, with a broken wheel barely pulling along behind you. Heavy as a brick. Or, it could contain exactly what you need inside. Again, a look from the outside wouldn’t tell the story only you know.
Not all the contents of our suitcase are placed by us personally. Some items are at the advice of others. A few are placed by others. And some of it we own. Maybe we have a borrowed item or two. A combination of various things make the whole. We might even leave space in our suitcase for items yet to be picked up.
The luggage of life.
This journey of life is much like a suitcase packed for our eternal home. Whatever that may be. Along the way our suitcase of life is packed for the journey to the end.
“Search me, God, know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” Psalms 139:23-24
Today, I want to encourage each of you to evaluate your heart. Your suitcase. What is there that is useful for the journey you’re on to your eternal home? Are there things in your luggage that need removed? Is your suitcase too light. Too heavy. The outside may be battered, broken, and torn but it’s the inside that matters most. The content of your suitcase.
Jesus trades the old and makes new. Equips us with just what we need to find him with our names written in the book of life. Are we willing to give him the old and make room for his new? Only then will our suitcase of life be whole, perfect, and equipped with just the right tools for the journey. Otherwise we search and search for just the right luggage in our suitcase. But it’s to no avail. There is no “filler” for the void left that desires Jesus healing touch and presence. No substitute will do.
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10
Let Jesus make you whole today. He is the only way.
Bobbie
