Hi all!  Carissa sent me this thought following our meeting with Peter Henderson a few weeks ago.  It’s brief and to the point.  I hope you enjoy it; it will encourage us as we take it to heart and put it into action!

I was thinking about that story that Peter shared—the one about the church that had all the necessary supplies needed for the wall (bricks, etc) except for the concrete to hold it together. I keep thinking about how that relates to life and how we can sometimes think we have all the necessary tools we need, but without the Lord to hold it all together, it isn’t worth anything. He is the one ingredient we need to build a foundation that is lasting and eternal. His word is like the mortar that we can build our life upon. Without it (the word), we can be like those people who couldn’t accomplish what they needed/wanted to without that essential component.

I wonder if this is a “female” thing, but I am already thinking of what I’m going to pack on our trip to Mexico!! You know, how many bags to pack (although I am sure this will be decided for me), what kinds of clothes to bring, shoes to wear….etc. But when I seriously think of what I want to pack, I think of the things about myself that I do or don’t want to bring on this trip.

I “carry” a lot of things on a day-to-day basis—some good, some not so good. This is an opportune time to take inventory of that stuff (attitudes, thoughts, habits) that God doesn’t want me to carry—here at home for my sake, and certainly not on this trip when we will be serving others. What things does God want me to let go of and leave behind? (Maybe selfishness, pride, insecurity, to name a few). These are just an example of the things that if left in my “backpack” will weigh me down and wear me out quickly. They don’t give life to myself or to others. When we free ourselves from the weight of these things, it leaves more room so that we can take along more life-giving things like patience, cheerfulness, love, helpfulness; these things will be beneficial to me and a blessing to others.

When we fill ourselves with attributes of the Lord, and empty ourselves of the stuff that isn’t from Him, we are living as He intends—unburdened and unyoked to things that will ultimately do us damage in the long run. So, let’s begin taking inventory of what we will “pack” on this trip; let’s take this opportunity to ask the Lord—or even someone who loves us—what things would He want us to let go of and leave behind for the sake of ourselves and others? I am confident He will reveal these things if we sincerely ask. Then, pray that the Lord will fill up those places with qualities that will give life to us and to those we will serve—and ultimately leave us feeling more abundant and free.

And just as I want to leave room in my real suitcase for those fun souvenirs we plan to bring home, let’s leave some room in our spiritual backpack for the Lord to fill with some pretty amazing treasures!!

Looking forward to packing light,

Carissa

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Matthew 11:29-30