Emptying Our Baggage

Recently,  in leading a Bible study, one of our church members and friends shared a great story and demonstration. 

The story he shared was about bringing a personal struggle to our pastor, what he called a "knee-jerk reaction," to which the pastor responded: "I will pray for you, but go to the Lord."

This was not the response he expected, our friend said, but it was the response he needed. 

It was not that our pastor was blowing him off, rather our pastor's response was a reminder to take it to God, first. 

Take our problems to God, before seeking consult with men, even it he is our pastor. 

And so last night's lesson was all about our being still and knowing that God will fight our battles for us. And how this is easier said than done and put into practice. 

For the demonstration, our friend first invited a  volunteer to  pick up one of  the backpacks that lay in the front row. 

"Ugh, that is heavy!" said the volunteer.

Sometimes, oftentimes,  the baggage we carry is heavy.

When the volunteer sat down again (and placed the backpack back down), the demonstration continued:

Holding a second back pack, our friend pulled a number of other items from this backpack,  starting with his Bible, except--

a yellow string hung down from the pages of the bible. He held it up and said, ""How often do we go to God but still hold onto our problems. Perhaps we distract ourselves from the problem, or look to other things to solve our problem."

Our friend pulled out other items to represent the other place(s) we might turn from our problems:  a video game or iPad (entertainment), a football,(sports), a cell phone (consult others or social media),  bag of chips (comfort food). His point was that when we try to solve our problems without God, this leads to one big tangled mess. (this was where the yellow string ended, at bottom of the bag, in one big knot.) 

What a great demonstration!  And, visuals are a sure way for us to get the point across. And, point WELL taken.

:)

Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth! 

-Psalm 46:10

Our friend also invited us to  read through the complete chapter of Psalm 46, and he played this song: 

I came away from that study with a much needed reminder how much God loves His children and does hear our prayers, but He is God and will work in His way. And, the more I can remind myself that the more I can anchor myself to that truth. 

Photo by Jed Owen on Unsplash