Pack Light

One bit of advice for the 2012 journey, pack light.

Several years ago I had the opportunity to travel to Ghana, West Africa. I had about one year to make preparations. The trip was expensive so I took on a second seasonal job to earn money to save for related expenses. I got all the necessary medical check-ups and shots. I purchased all of the recommended items on the packing list. As the days drew closer for my departure, I found it difficult to pack. I would be gone for approximately two weeks to a country I had never been and traveling with 60 people whom for the most part were strangers, except 2-3 of them. I didn't want to forget anything that I may need or want to bring to comfort me so far from home.

I ended up taking three bags total only because that was the travel limit without additional fees. I made my way to the airport, checked my bags and was off to NYC for a short layover before heading to Nigeria and finally Ghana. My dream journey had begun. Of course, in all of the excitement, I hadn’t given much thought about how I would carry the three bags once I made it to my destination. It wasn’t until I landed that I realized I would be in for with all that luggage. It was quite overwhelming and a bit awkward lugging my bags from place to place. Apparently I wasn’t alone. We had to rent an additional truck beyond our charter bus just for luggage during our stay. After the first night, I felt kind of foolish because I didn’t really need all the things I brought. I only need the essentials, which for that particular trip meant travel documents, a few items of clothing, toiletries, a camera and spending money.

Although I thoroughly enjoyed the trip, if I had it to do all over again, I would pack light.

This life lesson to pack light reminds me of Hebrews 12:1…let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. There are many things that weigh us down and interfere with the race that God has planned for us: sin, bitterness, unforgiveness, anger and hatred to name a few. I encourage you in 2012 to pack light. There are some relationships, habits, ways of thinking, etc. that are slowing you down and hindering you from running the race God has for you.

Think about it, even runners “pack light” to run their race to finish from the shoes they put on their feet to the types of food eaten to fuel their bodies to the clothing they run in. Runner only takes the essentials, because less is more when running a race.

I don’t know about you, but Jesus is essential to my journey. He gave His life for me, He sticks closer than a brother, He gives me peace, He provides protection, and He sits at the right hand of the Father and advocates for me…I could go on, but I think my point has been made.

Lord, help me to recognize those things that are weighing me down and give me the courage to unload my baggage, let it go, strip it off, so I will no longer be entangled or tripped up by it. I want to run the race you set before me to the end. To do so, I must pack light.