I BROUGHT ALL MY BAGGAGE

Last night, we had our final, "official" meeting before we leave for our trip. We've completed all of our studies, learned about the culture, shared our stories, secured our flights and discussed contingencies. This last gathering was deemed a "packing party." We were told to bring one extra piece of luggage as there are always additional items we cart halfway across the world and leave behind. There are supplies for our partner church, as well as, the materials we will use in our outreach program and so forth. This evening's activity will give us an idea of how much baggage we will be bringing and how to divide it among the team.

Well, not really an "instruction" person, I misunderstood. I was the last to arrive to the meeting, in part, because I was wrestling with not one, but three bags (one nested in another) all of which had to fit in my VW Beetle and still allow me some visibility out of my rear window! No easy task. Upon arrival, same problem. I pulled, pushed, shoved and shimmied, in order to bring all of my baggage to the meeting. It didn't take long before I realized, it was all for naught . . . until today.

This morning, as I awoke and began my morning prayers, the metaphor began to unfold. For two months, this amazing group of eight individuals has come together as one in Christ. We have grown together spiritually. We have brought all of our baggage into a small room every couple of weeks and lay it at the foot of the cross. Last night was particularly heavy as the spiritual warfare seems to ramp up in our lives just before we set out to do God's work. The darkness was intense. We are tired. Some of us are struggling with illness or just a heaviness. The world's work is weighing us down as we prepare to do eternal work. With great transparency and authenticity, we emptied our hearts and minds to each other and lifted each other up in prayer, surrendering all of our burdens. Instead of filling all of them, we drew from the baggage and clothed ourselves with humility with one another. Unadorned we knelt before His throne and surrendered our worries, anxious thoughts, worldly demands, and oppressions. By His grace, we began to feel lighter.

As it turns out, we will not be needing any of my baggage. I left the meeting with all of it. . . empty. That is what happens, when we bring our junk to the foot of the cross - to the throne of the Most High. He takes it and prepares our way.

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Cor 4:16-18