Baggage

When I travel, I always seem to pack more than what I will need. It’s as if I won’t be in civilization for a week, although I’m probably not going farther than a few hundred miles. Possessions can weigh us down, literally as well as figuratively.

Many people have similar concerns around possessions. Some people use Lent as time to declutter their home and life. Books about living a more simple lifestyle have proven to be very popular. There is something very attractive about paring down the excess and focusing on the essentials of life, even if there are inconveniences connected with this simplicity.

When Jesus sent out his disciples two by two to spread the gospel, he cautioned them to take only what they absolutely needed, and maybe not even that–no large amount of money, no bag of clothes or even shoes.

The point was for the disciples to rely on the receptivity and goodness of the people to whom they are sent. Jesus is a realist and acknowledges that they won’t always be accepted, so the ultimately point is to trust that the Lord will provide for our needs, no matter what happens.

“The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.” (Luke 10:2)