Carrying Extra

At my ripe old age (pushing 60 pretty hard), I have managed to gather a rather impressive set of luggage that I pull behind me. You can’t really say it is a matched set, having been acquired at various stages of my life. Each bag contains some life experience that has shaped me. There are some bags containing the DNA passed on to me by my parents. Some of the bags have wheels, and some just drag along. Okay, enough with the metaphor, you get it right?

In my body I carry extra weight, probably more than 100 pounds. Sometimes I wonder why, but even if I knew why it wouldn’t change the facts, it’s a lot to carry.

In my "church" life I carry extra weight, the legalism of my mother church, the hyper-charismatic nature and autocratic leadership style of my adopted church, the expectations that come with the notion that it is Sunday School and Church Services that shape my connection with God.

Jesus said:

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly." Matt. 28-30 The Message

Maybe only now, at this stage of my life, am I beginning to get the idea of what it means to walk with Jesus, work with Jesus and watch how Jesus does it. I guess that is what following Jesus would mean right?

Maybe then I could get rid of the baggage that is heavy, and live life free and lightly.