Seeds of Promise Devotionals by Shenica Graham

Devotional: Travel Light

Read The Bible In One Year

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DEC. Book Read From Read To Devotional
31st Revelation Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Travel Light

Memory Verse: “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and death shall be no more, neither shall there be anguish (sorrow and mourning) nor grief nor pain any more, for the old conditions and the former order of things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4

BAGGAGE CLAIM

God truly is a healer of emotional wounds. Sometimes, a person can look good and feel tormented, abandoned, and alone. The injuries carried out of plain sight can weight the spirit and like hope deferred, lead to challenges not only within, yet also in forms that manifest in the physical world though their roots are hidden – such as mental and physical health problems.

Imagine an airline where you are receiving your boarding pass. You have waited your turn – like many others. You may have been planning this trip for months – as some likely have. You probably arrived very early (in some cases, a lead time of several hours is requested before you can be allowed to board your flight) – as most others likely did. Yet, when you receive your boarding pass, there is only one person allotted to your seat – and that is you.

When I first arrived at a gate to board a flight to France, I was told that my luggage was too heavy. Though this was over a decade ago and regulations on baggage have changed, I was given one option:

Ma’am. Either you pay an additional fee, or your luggage will not be stowed.

I had barely made it to the airport that day. I did not have money for additional fees. I said,

I am getting on this plane. You can keep my luggage if that’s what you have to do.

When you reach a point in your life that you understand your purpose, you can see that the journey is more important than what you wear, who sees you there, and what relics you take away.

When it comes to life’s baggage, God is like an airline offering you the freedom to soar without it. If you choose to keep the baggage, you may have to pay an additional fee (trial or tribulation).

Most likely if you have emotional baggage, you have already suffered (paid) much for it. Each offense (like an ill-fitted shirt) in the bag may look like one event, one statement, one wrong done, neatly carried. Yet, every year, something changes. And ultimately the unchecked baggage continues to grow full, more heavy. Then, rather than discarding garments that no longer fit (a changed life), the simple carry-on is often added. Thus if times are turbulent, while there remains a full bag in the cargo bay (memory), the carry-on tumbles into the aisle (emotion) from time to time with a tag that says, don’t forget your other bag. An now in the midst of a turbulent voyage, it is difficult to discard what should have been left with the airline “host” (God). Finally, leaving the airport, one recovers those “items” (the unforgiven), only to re-package them at home for later wearing (you down), leaving behind an opportunity to travel light.

The God who owns power to make all things new, can help you have a great NEW year (II Corinthians 5:17).

Matthew 11:28-30 AMP

28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.]

29 Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls.

30 For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good—not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne.

The Year In Review

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