A few years back, Brian and I went on a cruise with some friends. It was at a time of heightened security at the airports, so much so that we couldn’t bring a carry-on bag on to the plane. No gels, no fluids, no exceptions, not even for my tiny tube of lip gloss, which I considered essential. The security guard begged to differ. Everything needed to be checked in, no exceptions.

We landed at our destination in good time to grab our bags, get to the pier and jump on the cruise ship. Our vacation was within reach. We were so excited. When we arrived at the airport in Florida we were met with yet another security screening. It’s seemed a bit excessive but “whatever”, we were almost there… I could almost feel the warm ocean breeze! After being cleared by security we were directed to the baggage carousal. The four of us stood with great anticipation, each awaiting our suitcase. We were so close we could taste it.

“There’s mine”, my friend said as she pulled her bag off the carousal.

One, two, three bags retrieved.

“Oh, noooo”, I thought to myself.

You know that dreaded feeling that settles in your stomach? That unsettling feeling that screams, “They’ve lost my luggage!”. When the moving serpentine track came to a dead stop and the throng of people dwindle to just the four of us, it became clear that the airline had lost my baggage. All my stuff. Even my lipgloss!

All I had, as I I left the airport, was what I was wearing. Let me assure you it was not Captain’s Table worthy! I wasn’t smart enough to pack my lipgloss or anything else for that matter in Brian’s bag.

My baggage didn’t find me until day four of our cruise, and you know what? I managed. In fact, I shocked myself and my friends with how well I managed for four days on a cruise without my baggage. It was actually liberating to discover how little one really needs.

Now when I pack, I only pack the essentials. I am proud to say that today I pack much lighter.

In hindsight, losing my baggage was actually very freeing!

Here’s the thing. We all carry a lot of baggage, literally and figuratively - like emotional baggage, family baggage, addiction baggage, and the list goes on. Jesus says,“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free.” Jesus came to set us free from our baggage.

We don’t have to go through life tied to the baggage we don’t need. We can get rid of it and live the free life that Christ came and died for us to live.

There is such freedom in travelling through life unencumbered with baggage.

Join us this week as we begin a new series called BAGGAGE. You won’t want to miss a single week as we journey through this three week series. So come, ready to be surprised, and challenged.

As always, invite a friend!