When I heard God’s call and accepted His free offer to travel to an amazing destination where He lives with His people; where there is no tears, no death, no grief, crying, or pain, for these things have passed away, REVELATION 21:3-4, I lifted my arms and cried, ‘YES! He loves me. Take me as I am, flawed and all.’
Well imagine my surprise when I tried to check-in and the gate agent said, ‘Sorry, this trip requires you to travel light. You have far too much baggage!’
I looked at what I was packing, you know, the stuff you just carry around with you. You’ve had it for years, you hardly notice it anymore. Just the remnants of life. Things you thought or heard about yourself… things you thought or heard about others… I brought them with me. They looked a lot like this.
I scoffed at that center stone, ANGER, boy, that was a HEAVY one. I remembered where I was headed, and embracing forgiveness, as He forgave me, I realized I could let that one go. The love in my heart grew as I immediately felt lighter.
The gate agent smiled at the lightened load and said, ‘Getting closer!’
I looked earnestly at the remainder.
The stories and memories associated with each of them were shameful and painful.
Why was I holding on to these? What did I think I was going to do with them? I didn’t deserve these. The people I judged didn’t deserve these.
Oh! I better address that rock of PRIDE.
And smiling with joy, the gate agent announced, ‘You’re ready’.
Surprised, I looked down again. When I traded PRIDE for HUMILITY, the rest disappeared.
And with shared Joy, the gate agent allowed me to pass, grabbed my hand and said, ‘Fear not, I am with you and I will lead you.’ ( inspired by Acts 2:38)
WOW – that is so true! Thank you for sharing your journey with us. I, too, am finding the exact same thing, only it’s taken me longer to receive it.
Exchanging humility for pride, exchanging my way for walking in the Spirit…WOW, what a life, walking in love!
Two years later and I’m just learning the vocabulary! Trading Me for Him and accepting humility doesn’t just make all that weight disappear… that would be God’s beautiful GRACE that erases the burden and grabs my hand.
Leading me into this beautiful journey of SANCTIFICATION… there is no better choice I could’ve made than to say… YOUR WILL BE DONE! Thank You, Lord Jesus, for what you’ve done and Thank You, Heavenly Father for your loving kindness and patience with me.
LOVE this message and it really hits the mark with the visuals. The randomness of all the “flawed” rocks vs the stone with your name on it centered in a heart, God’s heart. So beautiful. Considering your journey… I am reminded of Revelation 2:17 –
“Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it”