Remembering Go Remembering Good Friday and celebrating Easter in April, isn't it a wonderful thought to know that we don't have to carry any excess baggage--that Jesus willingly did it for us and still does? A devotional from Diva Delights will be our focus this month.
Excess Baggage
“Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.”
Psalm 68:19 (NIV)
Last March we flew to Switzerland. We traveled by train from the airport to a small town where we spent a few days. Americans are notorious for carrying lots of luggage and I fulfilled their reputation. It becomes an exercise in acrobatics to board the train, arrange the luggage in a small area, and disembark quickly with luggage in hand. Europeans are easily identified. They have learned to travel sensibly by using one small carry-on or backpack, and choosing simplicity and convenience over luxury.
Daily living is neither challenge-free nor trial free. We are either coming out of a difficult situation, we are in one, or we are about to enter one. Our challenges run the gamut of health, family, finances, school, jobs, people, uncertainty, or decisions. Challenges are an inevitable part of life. If we allow them to take over and become excess weight, they become burdens.
When I went to Switzerland, I should have traveled more sensibly and left half of my clothing home, but I didn’t. I needed help to get off of the train. I didn’t have the strength or the ability to maneuver my luggage when I arrived at my stop. Not asking for help would have been foolish. Yet we do that all the time with other burdens and struggles. We choose to carry them rather than ask for support. God wants us to travel without excess burdens.
Max Lucado, in his best selling book on the twenty-third Psalm says that Jesus wants us to Travel Light. Sometimes we don't even realize what we are carrying. It’s like having your baggage weighed at the ticket counter and find that you’ve exceeded the limit and you’re surprised. No matter how hard I try to reduce what I take and plan to coordinate my outfits, I still carry too much with me. Last time I traveled I had to pay a fee because I exceeded the limit. Unloading my heavy baggage off the train had a price too. It delayed others’ departure and posed a problem when taking a taxi. We're so used to taking everything with us and carrying those heavy suitcases, that we don't even know they’re overweight and a problem until we reach an obstacle and are tired.
How many times during the day do we exceed our limit and carry excess baggage? What price do we pay? Do you ever find yourself in these situations?
Rather than cool off, apologize or quietly discuss, I need to prove that I’m right and I am left with the burden of a damaged relationship.
I forge ahead and take control only to forfeit patience and wait on God to work. I miss out on His plan and grace.
I choose to talk rather than listen and hear another point of view. I compromise understanding what’s important to someone else.
I go to “self-help” advice first rather than see what the Bible has to say. I neglect wisdom and carry the weight by myself.
I work late hours and sacrifice family time and my health, when I should have chosen rest and recreation. I carry the weight of stress and health issues.
I carry the load of guilt, rather than accept forgiveness.
I fill my calendar with activity and take the burden of loneliness rather than the joy of friendship.
Excess baggage. We can give it up; we need to. It isn’t in God’s plan for us to carry it. If we continue, we’ll slow ourselves down and pay a fee for the extra weight.
Prayer: Father I know that I have carried burdens that you want to carry for me. It’s not easy to change habits but with your help and power I know that it is possible. Show me the way to exchange my burdens for your power and your best for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen
Extraordinary Treasures: Scripture speaks about burdens in several references. One is in today’s verse. Read Psalm 23 and Matthew 11:28-29 and see where your excess baggage fits in and how you can release it.
Psalm 23
My baggage
What Jesus says:
The benefit
Matthew 11: 28-29
My baggage
What Jesus says:
The benefit
Your Extraordinary treasures: Recall the last time you released a burden. What were the results? Journal your reflections. That is one of your extraordinary treasures! (c) Marilyn Nutter 2008
Italian Easter Bread
The anise flavoring from this traditional Easter Bread spreads an aroma throughout the house. Today is Good Friday and I am reminded of the aroma of love that kept Jesus nailed to the cross for me.
6 eggs
3 cups sugar 1/2 cup oil
1 cup orange juice
1 cup boiled water, cooled
1 Tbsp anise extract
6 cups flour
6 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
Beat sugar and eggs; add oil slowely. Sift dry ingredients and add to eg mixture alternately with juice and water. Pour into1 large tube pan and 2 loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes . Use 375 for gas stove. When cool frost with confectioner sugar icing flavored with anise extract.
