Okay, I admit it: I am an over-packer. You would think after making some fifty overseas trips I would be one of those “hand-luggage-only people.” Not so. However, on this ten-day trip to Germany and Albania I decided to practice packing light in order to prepare for a trip later this year to eight different countries, traveling through a dozen different airports and quickly moving from one location to the other in just over twenty days.
I have learned that socks can be easily washed and shirts can be worn more than once—if you don’t run a marathon in them. I have also learned that shampoo doubles as laundry soap and that most of the world sells batteries when needed. (We over-packers tend to be doomsday packers—always prepared for the worst!)
All of this reminds me of the need for us to learn to pack light when it comes to our lives. As a “seasoned life-traveler”, I realize how easily we can be weighed down with loads of worry and fear. Too many of us are packing the excess baggage of greed and pride. Who among us hasn’t foolishly carried around the unnecessary garments of unresolved anger and on-going bitterness? Packing light makes life’s journey so much easier.
Jesus, the Son of God who left His glory and traveled the same road as us, said it best: “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.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
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