Traveling Light

It was a beautiful, nearly perfect fall day in Michigan, sunny, slight breeze, temp in the low 70’s.  I had my mountain bike and was heading for the trails at Fort Custer State Park, ready to commune with nature.  Once I arrived, I marveled at the rich gold, red, yellow and green hues that Mother Nature had painted around me.   

Before I left the house, I hurriedly grabbed my backpack and stuffed it full of things like extra shoes, socks, sweatshirt, granola bars, water bottles, first aid kit, toilet paper, single burner camp stove, a little firewood, a towel, hot dogs, buns and chips.  In my desire to be ready for any situation, I always overpack. 

In truth, most of us are carrying too much.  We burden ourselves with past hurts and yesterday’s problems.  We overload ourselves with worries about the future.  We carry around a lot of stuff that we simply don’t need to hang on to.     

We all have a journey to take, and God has provided a life resplendent with color and bright with promise.  Most of us long to feel fully alive, to share in God-given emotions like passion, romance, and freedom.  Many of us yearn for close relationships, and to make a difference in the lives of those we work with and those we love. 

All human beings have an intense desire to become acquainted with God’s peace.  Yet, we defeat our deepest inner longings by carrying millstones around our necks of worry, guilt, regret and self-condemnation. 

An intimate relationship with Jesus frees us from many of these cumbersome issues.  He said, “come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28).  The “rest” He promises is not the end of our labor, but contentment in our soul.  A life dedicated to Christ cleanses the past, gives passion to the present, and declares purpose to our future.    

One of the best ways to deal with today’s difficulties is to not get wrapped up in either yesterday’s struggles, or tomorrow’s concerns.  It may seem easier to wish the past hadn’t happened, or hope that tomorrow will be different, but most of that worry keeps us from living in the present.  Yesterday may require repentance or forgiveness. Tomorrow may depend on careful planning, but trusting God for today relieves the burden that prevents us from enjoying the moment. 

Jesus said, “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.”  (Matthew 6:34). 

My prayer this week is that the burdens you carry will not overshadow your journey through life today.  May your backpacks grow lighter as you work to remove those things that interfere with a life of peace, joy and gratitude. 

Blessings,

Pastor Mike