|
I saw Jesus on the path.
In my prayers I was concerned about
stumbling. He took me by the arm and
supported me. I could see something was in
the way along the path. What was it? It was
baggage -- baggage of the past and present.
I looked at it. I wondered whether to pick
it up, step around it,
or move it. I began to pick it up, but He
took it from me. I didn't want Him to have
to take it. To see Him carrying my bags! I
would rather step on them and get past them
than to let Him carry them. He should not
have to carry my things! I started to take
them back, a small tug. He held firm. Then,
He set them down - behind us. He said to
leave it all behind. Then, He said not to
look back. He said it was time to move
forward, on down the path. We walked on,
leaving it behind.
Many of us have
"baggage". Perhaps we feel like we don't
want to give our burdens to Him. But He
alone is able to take it, get rid of it, and
help us to leave it all behind. It occurred
to me later that we cannot carry the baggage
and go on a long journey. There will be
hills or perhaps stony areas to negotiate.
We may need to have our hands free for a
walking stick. If we are carrying baggage
and our hands are not free, how will we have
free hands to get a drink of water or eat?
The journey may also be long on some days -
perhaps even long for weeks or months. But
then, there will also be some wonderful days
that we have an easy downhill walk, gentle
slopes, meadows that would make us want to
dance. Surely we should dance! But perhaps,
most of all, if our hands are not free, how
can we hold His hand as He places it in
ours? He wishes to walk along with us. And,
even greater, He embraces us. Yes, it is
better to walk with Him and leave the cares
behind.
May we give all we have
to Him, holding onto nothing that hinders
His will in our lives.
Lois Smith
|