Matthew 6:19-21 (NLT)19 “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
Over the years, I have learned the value of packing lighter when I go on vacation, especially when traveling by airplane. Instead of haphazardly throwing a bunch of clothing into my suitcase, I now spend more time planning and coordinating outfits and have learned to pack smarter. Packing for vacation is a lot like getting older.
When I was younger, I was focused on the collection of material things and getting ahead in life. Along the way, I also ended up picking up worries, resentment, hurt, jealousy, fear, anxiety, confusion, stress and sadness. There were several times when I was faced with the unexpected, some of which threatened to destroy the essence of me and essentially steal my joy. The weight of my baggage started to tip the scales and ultimately I realized that it is time to start unloading and learn to pack lighter.
Grandma often says that we spend the first half of our life collecting things and the second half getting rid of them. She was referring to material possessions, however, I believe that it also applies to our mental and emotional collections. Material comforts come and go, but letting go of emotional baggage is the most difficult and the ultimate freedom in life. So many sleepless nights of worry are trivial from God’s point of view. With age and experience comes wisdom; with wisdom comes perspective; with perspective comes peace and joy.
God is the perfect baggage handler. He will destroy the baggage that destroys us if we can simply let go of it. Give God your clunky old stale emotional baggage and let him care for you. Store your treasures in heaven and pack only what you can carry with you.
Isaiah 46:4 (NLT) 4 I will be your God throughout your lifetime— until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you.
"Breath. Let go. And remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure". Oprah Winfrey
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