But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 1 Corinthians 11:28
Some of my family members tease me about the amount of luggage that I take on a trip. In my younger days before the health issues took center stage, I used to be able to pack rather efficiently. However, things are a bit different now. Because I no longer tolerate cold weather or changes in weather well, my luggage often contains everything from shorts to winter sweaters. Further, in addition to a case for my toiletries, I have another one just for the medicines that I need or may need. Consequently there is some concern when we’re flying as I’m worried about the weight limit for checked luggage. It requires a bit of scrutiny to make sure that I take what I need but not so much that I’m over the limits. I am most efficient and discerning when I have time to lay everything out that I think I need and then carefully examine it and evaluate what I truly need versus what I can leave behind or risk going without. If I’m not careful, it’s easy to go over the limits and find myself weighed down with luggage and additional expense. Life is like that too. If we don’t examine ourselves and sort out our lives, we often carry around a lot of unnecessary and even harmful baggage. In the book “The Emotionally Healthy Church, Peter Scazzero compares us to an iceberg. “About ten percent of an iceberg is visible to the surface. That is the part of our lives of which we are consciously aware. Note, however that the Titanic sank because it collided with a section of the submerged 90 percent of an iceberg.” In other words, many of our problems with other people and how we handle difficult situations is greatly impacted by the 90 percent of which we are unaware. That is why several passages in scripture, including the one above, call for us to examine ourselves. It’s not intended to make us feel bad about ourselves, but rather to deal with negative issues so that we can walk more closely with our Lord, enjoy better relationships and, in general, have a better quality of life spiritually and emotionally.
One of our heaviest bags is sin. We all have it and must deal with that one first as it affects all areas of our life. Nobody can avoid this step. To have union with God, we must confess our sin and accept God’s forgiveness. That’s why Paul reminds us to examine ourselves prior to communion so that we may partake of this sacrament with a godly frame of mind. I recently read a devotional by John Piper regarding our forgiveness of sin…past, present and future. In all my years as a Christian, I don’t think that I’ve heard anyone else refer to sin in the future. It made me stop and think. Thankfully, once we accept Christ as our Savior and Lord, all of our sins that we ever have and ever will commit have been atoned for. There are two reasons for this discussion. First, if you haven’t accepted Christ as your savior, you can’t be free of the weight of sin and its effects until you do. The second is that since we won’t be sinless until we are united with Christ in Heaven, we must continually examine ourselves and allow the Holy Spirit to convict us and help us deal with our sin. The penalty has been paid, but we must make the effort to live godly lives. That’s why David pleads “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.” (Psalm 139:23-24) We can’t deal with our sin on our own, but that’s the gift…we don’t have to. Christ has paid the price and God is more than willing to help us overcome the sin in our lives and thereby lift the weight from us.
Another heavy load for many is the past. I struggle with this as much as anyone else, but like everyone else, I must learn to put it into its proper place. No matter how much I think about it, it’s not going to change. It has value in understanding who we are and why we act and react as we do, but it should not lead to anger and worry. When we went astray, we were forgiven. When injured, we must forgive as we have been forgiven. When we suffered loss, it was God’s will and we should be content. In fact, all that has been, is and will be is God’s plan for us. It is for His glory and our eternal good. Obsessing over past hurts and losses takes much effort and makes our load heavier. However, when we allow God’s principles rather than our past dictate our behavior, the weight of it is lifted and we are better for it.
Worry is another weight we often bear unnecessarily. Christ addressed this early on. “Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:31-34) Further Paul reminds us “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7) Again, bring your burdens to God and allow Him to exchange them for peace and lighten your load.
The last piece of baggage I’d like to consider is the things that we hold dear. Let’s start with the least difficult…note that I did not say “easy one”: the plans that we have for our lives. While it is helpful to have goals and plans, we must be vigilant to keep them in check with God’s plan and give Him control over our lives without reservation. In that regard, we do well to keep James 4:13-16 in mind. Then there are our possessions. Just consider how much time, money and energy we spend acquiring, maintaining and protecting our possessions. Yet they aren’t truly ours to begin with. They ultimately belong to God, are from His hand and will be given to others at our death. Nothing puts that into proper light as sorting and disposing of one’s assets at their death. While I admittedly struggle with this, I have begun at every thought of purchase to ask myself how much I really need something and whether or not it has enough value to me to force my loved ones to deal with it later. While I have varying degrees of success, it has proved quite helpful. Finally and the most difficult is our loved ones. If we have reached the Christian maturity level to accept God’s will for our lives and be content in all circumstances, than we must also be willing to accept the same for those whom we love as they belong to the Lord as well. Admittedly, I say this with a bit of fear. I have “lost” many people who are dear to me in the last few years, but I know that they are united with God, are free from sin and suffering, have received their new name and have received their eternal reward. How can I be anything but happy for them? I miss them, but would never wish for them to leave the presence of God so that I can enjoy their presence on earth. With respect to those who are still alive, I don’t wish for them to have difficulties and trials nor do I want to be separated from them. However, if I truly love them and want them to make God the Lord of their lives, I have to accept His will for them as I do for myself. Yet I do pray that God is gentle with them and sustains them through all of their trials. Whether it’s our plans, our assets or our loved ones, we must not bear the weight of worry, but rather trust our Heavenly Father to do what is right and best in every circumstance.
Sadly it’s much easier to check our luggage at the airport than it is to examine our lives and make the necessary changes. However, making self-examination and godly discipline a habit lightens our load and greatly improves our quality of life. Further, we must always remember that we are not alone and that God as our Father, Christ our Savior and the Holy Spirit as our Counselor are more than willing to help us and guide us. Further, Christ promises to willingly take the weight off of us in Matthew 11:28-30: “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
May or Lord give you strength and bless you with peace.
Will