(February 04, 2021) Carol Round, having experienced an exhausting moving home time, encourages us to relax in Jesus…

Packing! Moving! Unpacking! I questioned, once again, ‘Why did I have so much stuff?’

It’s not the first time I’ve moved in almost 20 years, it’s the sixth! I know others who have moved more times than I have, and I don’t envy them. I’m still trying to recover from my latest move.

I’ll confess! If I’d had my way, I’d still be in the first place I moved to four years before retiring from my 30-year teaching career in 2001. My post-teaching career plans included freelance writing for area newspapers and continuing my 20-year photography business that exploded when I went digital.

But Jesus had a greater plan for me. That’s the reason behind my many moves. Although it took him nine months to convince me to move the first time, I’ve learned to say, ‘I want your will, not mine.’

Obedience means surrendering
Each time I’ve moved, it’s been in obedience to his calling on my life.

I don’t take it lightly. For someone like me, who was used to being in charge, and thought she was in control of her life, it meant surrendering. Even though I still struggle sometimes, I’ve learned his way is the only way to live freely and lightly.

Surrendering to his will isn’t easy for any of us. We carry heavy burdens. And it’s not just the material stuff we accumulate. It’s the baggage we carry inside of us, the heavy ‘E.P.S.’ of life –

• Emotions.
• Past issues we cling to, not knowing what to do with them.
• Stuff we keep deep down inside.

We wrap up those past issues, like a treasured keepsake and pack them in a tidy box. Then, something happens, and we unwrap and recover them from the depths of our souls. But Jesus doesn’t want us to live tired and worn out, burdened by our hurts, our mistakes, and anything else weighing us down.

Jesus can recover your life
Moving, especially as you get older, can wear you out.

The last time I moved, in obedience to him, was almost five years ago. Five years makes a difference when you’re in your late 60s. Before then, I could unpack, organise, and feel settled in my latest abode in less than a month. This time, it’s taking me longer to recover the treasures I packed for safekeeping.

I don’t feel a need to rush. After making sure I’ve unpacked the necessities, I’ve worked on one room at a time. I don’t feel a need to be perfect – to have my life all together, anymore. Those days are behind me – and it’s not just because of my aging body.

As I’ve grown in my walk with Jesus, I’ve learned what’s important. In Matthew 11:28, Jesus invites us to ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.’

Now he doesn’t tell us ‘Come, all who are perfect,’ or ‘Come, all who’ve made no mistakes in life.’ He invites us to…

• Come as we are!
• Let go of burdens we’ve been carrying! And…
• Rest in his promises of restoration!

What a beautiful invitation!

The Message Bible puts Matthew 11:28-30 this way: ‘Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me – watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.’

In exchange for our baggage, Christ gives us a new identity in him.

That’s an amazing exchange. We don’t have to let the past hold us hostage for the rest of our lives.

When we drop our baggage, and accept the rest offered by Christ, we can learn the ‘unforced rhythms of grace.’

Leave your baggage behind and walk into his arms. They are open wide to receive you.
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Carol Round is an international self-syndicated Christian columnist, author and inspirational speaker. Carol follows her passion of using her writing and speaking abilities to inspire others; Her encouraging articles have appeared in national and international publications such as Assist News Service (www.assistnews.net founded by Dan Wooding) and she especially loves hearing from readers. 

Recommended: Growing Confidently in Your Faith. Inside are the musings of a woman who has a heart to know God. Carol Round sees the everyday events of life through the lens of scripture and points out life applications. Inspiration in a thought-provoking, upbeat, down-to-earth, no-nonsense way. Links: A Matter of Faith weekly column: carol@carolaround.com / www.carolaround.com. __________________________________________________________________________________