Luggage, Baggage, and Burdens... Oh My!

This summer I did a lot of traveling. I collected frequent flyer miles as fast as the airline flew. At the tail end of my travels, I waited by the window for my flight to leave Los Angeles. I looked out at the plane and watched the activity that scurried beneath the jet that would take me home.

After I boarded and found my seat, I continued to watch the luggage handlers put suitcase after suitcase onto a conveyer that carried an unending assortment of baggage into the belly of my plane. Luggage of different sizes and colors. Although some were awkward, most were just regular, ordinary, common suitcases.

My seat companion watched with me. She came from a connecting flight and worried that her luggage had not transferred with her. I listened to her fret, but heard the exhale of relief when she saw the arrival of her bright orange suit case on a cart with a few other late bags. The driver pulled up to the conveyer and added her bag. I put on my headphones, opened my book, and tried to read.

This got me thinking. What baggage am I carrying that I would not want left behind? Too often I carry burdens needlessly. I worry for things I have no control over. My anxiety grows because I hang onto things I ought not. Do you do as I do? Again and again, I take on baggage better left behind.

I sat in my seat next to the window and prayed, thankful I have a Savior who died so I could leave my burden with Him. I removed my headphones and introduced myself to Emily. She and I had a wonderful conversation about airport traffic, lost luggage, and Jesus.

Matthew 11:28
"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”

Since, my flight from Los Angles I’ve stepped into and out of airports several times and each time I see a jet, large or small, I think of Jesus taking off with my burdens.