Excess Baggage

Bible Reading: Isaiah 43:18-19
Author: Lenore Warton (New South Wales, Australia)
Thursday 28 March 2024 © The Upper Room.

Last year we experienced two quite different holidays, one by car and one by plane. As we packed for our plane journey, weight restrictions and bag sizes challenged us. We were used to travelling in our old car with plenty of room, so we could take much paraphernalia. But for the plane travel, we had to be very particular—weighing each article and packing and repacking our suitcases until they were under the required weight. This made us much more aware of which items were really necessary to take with us.

God is showing me that just as on our car holidays, I drag along unnecessary things on my life’s journey. I think I’ll need them; but in reality they are baggage from the past, habits that I don’t need, thoughts that flood my mind and weigh down my spirit.

Becoming Christians means we are to start a new life—parting with our old life and our old ways. Gradually, as we pay attention, we can see God’s Holy Spirit revealing our destructive attitudes and habits. This process frees up space in our minds and hearts to fill with the freedom that Christ—through his suffering—has won for us.

Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, help us listen to your Holy Spirit to discern the old ways we need to get rid of and give us strength to let go of them. In Jesus’ name. Amen

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I am so thrilled and excited about the BSL version of Deaf Missions Daily Devotions. I have their booklet and been using them for nearly a year. I have good command of English but still struggle with the concept of the context at times. What a difference it has made just watching someone signing the passage so clearly and of superior quality! I notice the USA are far more advanced with access to the Gospel in ASL but now you have made it possible for us. So many thanks for this! May it go from strength to strength. JJ