Gladys's Comments

Mt16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

I can remember one time picturing spiritually in my mind, myself standing on the shore, facing the vast ocean in front of me. The Lord was calling me to come out. There I stood on the shoreline with my luggage that I had been carrying around for years. One suitcase contained depression, pain, hurt, loss, loneliness. Another bag held lack of trust, defeat, and low self esteem. Another suitcase held sufferings, painful childhood memories, fear. Quite the load that I had been saving and carrying around for years. This was a turning point for me in my Christian walk. The Lord called me to come out. The Lord that day wasn't beside me saying, "Here let me carry this for you." He was calling me out to the deep to follow Him. For years I was following Him, but I was falling so far behind. My luggage was slowing me down. This was a season for me to let go. I knew I would sink, carrying all of this excess out into the water. That day years ago, I set it down on shore and with my hands now totally free, I picked up my cross and followed.


Mt16:25 goes on to say: For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. Set down the luggage.

Gal5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Whisper: Lord, could this also apply to excess luggage? YSIC Brown Eagle