DIVINE EXCHANGE

Have you ever been to the airport and thought to yourself, “Next time, I’ll pack lighter?” Especially, if you’re like me and travel cross country. All that loading, carrying, and lugging around becomes tiresome. Or do you notice that every time you move, you get rid of more and keep less? Like, “why do I even have this?” Don’t you feel that sigh of relief when you let it go? Yes, let’s all sing along to one of America’s favorites, Frozen..”Let it gooooo”… Elsa had it right.

Jesus says, Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest” -Matthew 11:28

Jesus doesn’t say, “Come all who are perfect” or “Come all who’ve made the best choices in life.” Instead, Jesus invites the tired and worn-out to come to Him … and He promises us rest.

Let it Go

That’s an amazing exchange. We get to drop our baggage, and Christ gives us rest. I don’t know how much baggage you’re dragging with you today, but I want you to know you don’t have to carry it for one more minute. Jesus is waiting in the quiet, with arms open wide to receive you. Give Jesus your baggage!

The truth is, less is more. It really is. We were never meant to be emotional pack rats. God did not brutally die for us to merely survive. He paid much too high a price for us to live a defeated life. “He came that we might be free and live abundantly.” – John 10:10  Furthermore, He gives us hope.

The problem is we become comfortable with our baggage. It becomes our false identity. We reason, “my dad was that way”, “my mom was that way”, “this happened to me” or “this is what I deserve”. Those are all lies that keep us from living free and in our purpose. The thought of getting rid of it all seems overwhelming and it is overwhelming; on our own. Yet, with God by our side, it is within reach. He is calling us to lay it all at His feet.

The Trade

Fear for Courage

Regrets for Purpose

Hurts for Forgiveness

Doubts for Trust

Sin for Surrender

Worry for Peace

Sorrows for Joy

We all will go through pain and disappointment in our lives, that is a fact. What we do with it makes all the difference. Lay it before Him and don’t give up. He turns ashes into beauty. Let the loving father heal you in the only way that is complete and lasting. He loves you more than you could ever imagine and he’s near the broken, waiting with arms wide open.

Let us pray together:

“Heavenly Father, I release to you the burdens that I have been carrying, burdens that You never intended for me to carry. I cast all my cares upon You-all my worries, all my fears, and all my pain. I come against any spirit that is not of you and I captivate my thoughts.

Father, calm my restless spirit, quiet my anxious heart, still my troubling thoughts with the assurance that You are in control. I let go of my grip upon the things I have been hanging onto, with opened hands I come to You. I thank You for Your promise to sustain me, preserve me, and guard all that I have entrusted to Your keeping. Protect my heart and mind with Your peace, the peace that passes all understanding. Father, may Your will be done in my life, in Your time, and in Your way. I surrender to you. Amen.”