Pack Light

In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:33).

The early disciples of Christ packed nothing as they went out two by two preaching the good news of the kingdom of God. Leaving the comforts of home behind, Jesus specifically told them, “Do not take a purse or bag or sandals…” (Luke 10:4a). Freed from the weight of personal baggage, they came and went quickly as they preached and healed others in the name of Jesus. Their ministry was much more effective without the burden of lugging stuff around, and they discovered a total reliance on the Lord for everything they needed.

Wow…to literally depend on Christ to provide our needs every second of the day would speak volumes about our trust in God wouldn’t it?

We can often carry extra baggage, both physically and in our hearts, that weigh down our efforts. Instead of trusting the Lord for what we need, we compare ourselves to others. We see what they have, and what they are doing, and we complicate our lives by trying to do what they do, and have what they have. We allow that comparison to paralyze us in using our own specific giftings for His Kingdom work. There is great freedom and joy that comes when we confidently ask God what HE has specifically for us, and then depend on Him to provide and equip us.

God is crazy about us! Remember, He loves us enough to send His only Son to die for us, so we certainly can trust Him to equip us to accomplish His will in our lives. The victory is His. Take a load off….cast your burdens….peel off that bad attitude and bitterness that is merely a tool of distraction. If He calls you to it, He will bring you through it. Pack light.