I took the world off your shoulders, freed you from a life of hard labor…. –Psalm 81:6 MSG
In his book Give It All to Him, Max Lucado describes your burdens, cares, and worries as bags of trash that you haul everywhere on your back. Until you turn it all over to Jesus, you’ll carry it, even though it kills you. You’re carrying unnecessary baggage, but the Bible says, “God…will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear” (1 Corinthians 10:13). When situations arise, you have to decide whether to carry it yourself—tempted by pride—or will you trust God and turn the situation over to Him? In his book, Max Lucado calls Jesus the “trash man.” Jesus wants you to give Him all of your garbage bags. You don’t have to carry them and God doesn’t want that for you. Maybe your bags are the burden of making ends meet, when the money simply isn’t there. Maybe you’ve been carrying the shame and guilt of an abortion, assault, or abuse. You don’t have to let those things drag you down anymore. Jesus wants to set you free. Give the Trash Man your baggage. He wants to carry them and you! And yes, His shoulders are big enough to handle it—all of it. Will you give it to Him?
Ask God to help you overcome any fear or pride, freeing you to give Him all of your baggage.
Pray that you’ll stay humble and leave the baggage at Jesus’ feet.