I learned the value of that advice a while back. My Little Pie Baker and I were invited out to west Texas for a weekend, and since they gave us plane tickets, we decided to go. After about the 13th stop for a rest on the Death March from the parking garage to the terminal - DFW is mathematically laid out so no matter where you park, you have to cross two county lines and a time zone to get to your gate - I wiped my brow and congratulated my bride. “Honey, I never would have thought to pack a toaster oven and 14 tons of shoes for a weekend trip.” For those of you who aren’t paying attention, yes, that was sarcasm.
Anybody who has flown lately knows that there are strict limits on luggage weight and harsh penalties for exceeding it. As in cash. Lots and lots of cash. Airline ticket agents are thrilled to see that scale show 1 ounce over the limit. “Cha-CHING!” they say, and “Thank you very much!” they chirp as they introduce you to their Friendly Customer Service Rottweilers.
What has brought up this particular topic is fairly obvious, I’m sure. In a couple of weeks, I’m joining a group going to Central America for a week. Just yesterday, I received a list of packing suggestions - what to wear, what to pack in my carry-on, what to pack in the single bag (49 lbs, 15 Oz, and not a Dorothy or Toto more!) I’m allowed to check. Then we talked about what was appropriate to carry - mosquito spray, yes. Anti-tarantula blowtorch, probably not. Tuxedo? Not needed. Toilet paper? That’s a BIG 10-4, little buddy!
But I intend to be stingy, because I’m not going all that way to be a Baggage Handler. I don’t want to have to worry about where my “stuff” is, or what might be happening to it. That was Jesus’ advice, anyway:
He said to them, “Take nothing for your journey – no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, and do not take an extra tunic. Luke 9:3
Talk about traveling light! Truth is, we all need to be traveling light, not keeping up with old baggage but discovering God's ability to generously provide. You see, those who intend to follow Him are on a narrow, difficult path. Baggage gets lost, or stolen, or becomes a heavy weight and encumbrance. We are WAY better off “down-sizing”. Then all that energy, attention, and sweat we had been devoting to the luggage can be focused more profitably, and we can concentrate on traveling Right.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2
