Traveling light is one of the tricks to endure on any journey. This is especially important to Christian pilgrims wanting to make it all the way home one day. The journey itself is hard enough, no extra baggage needed to drag us down. Especially when the help is near and readily available for anyone.

Therefore then, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us, (Hebrews 12:1, AMP, emphasis added,*)

Jesus is ready to take our extra baggage and that sin that burdens us.
Jesus is ready to enable us to enjoy the joys of traveling light.
Jesus is ready to empower us to steadily advance on our way home.

Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2, AMP, emphasis added,*)

Traveling light is possible if we steadily look away from troubles, fears and distractions to Jesus. Because Jesus is the only one who can help us along the way. Worrying does not do the trick. Collecting material things does not bring peace. Taking safety measures into our own hands does not bring security.

Only Jesus can lift our burdens.
Only Jesus can bring life through death.
Only Jesus can direct us to the joy of salvation.

But it’s real. And readily available. We just need to ask for help. We are not meant to carry our own burdens. We are meant for traveling light. Why would we then insist on doing it the hard way? Pride has never brought on anything good. Carrying our burdens does not only get us overtly exhausted but also prevent us from helping others along the way.

It’s time to put aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely.
It is time to strip down and start running and never quit.
It’s time to start traveling light.

 

Gracious God,
Forgive us for collecting extra baggage
and for the sin that is so easily clinging to us.
Forgive us for getting so distracted
that we forget Jesus.
Especially because Jesus is all we ever need.
Help us to keep our eyes on Jesus only.
Take our extra baggage and sin away.
Show us what traveling light really means.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Q4U: Do you have extra baggage? Do you let Jesus to carry them for you? Do you know how to enjoy traveling light?

Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you strip down and start traveling light!

Photo courtesy of Forrest Cavale, design Mari-Anna Stålnacke. Linking up today with Sharing His Beauty, Unforced Rhythms, Playdates with God.