Whitnee's journey with Christ

Ever had a trip planned and you forgot to read and understand the carry-on baggage size limits set by TSA? Did you make it to the airport before you thought about the restrictions and prohibited items or were you so focused on the destination or the flight itself you forgot to prepare for the trip? Carry-on bags must not exceed 22x14x9 inches (including handles and wheels) and must fit in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you.

On this beautiful Fall evening, I want you to think about your personal journey called life. And as you think about your journey think about how many trips/destinations you have planned whether it be an actual trip, dreams and goals, weight loss journey, etc. what items did you have to omit in order to move forward, board the plane, train, or bus…did you have to drop a prohibited or restricted item before you traveled or did you have to remove some things from your “luggage” to continue the journey?

While some of you may be thinking about physical items as it pertains to carry-on baggage (I.e. batteries, knives, guns, liquids, lighters, snacks, etc.) I want you to think briefly about characteristics, emotions, old hurt, past mistakes, and things of that nature that you had to learn how to effectively let go or manage in order to not “exceed the limit.”

Was it freeing to drop those old habits, past hurt, insecurities, etc.? Did you feel like your load had been lightened? Or maybe you are a crossroads currently while on this journey called life and are doing some soul searching and are actively figuring out whats good and what needs to go.

Well God dropped this thought in my spirit last night as I was on the way home from getting the boys from the basketball game that before I prepare to walk into this next chapter in life (while on this journey) that it was time for me to do something productive and restorative for me to have better results while I’m isolating to deepen my relationship with God and heal until I reach the destination called shalom.

Sometimes we want to enter our “winning season” before we have properly completed our pruning, shedding, death, and rebirth. We might have opened the doors of those areas but because of the extra carry-on baggage that exceeded the size limit you missed your flight, your trip got delayed, or you allowed the enemy to make you think that particular destination got cancelled.

My brothers and sisters I’m here to tell you that God’s promise in Matthew 11:28-30 will have you on point, refreshed, and in perfect peace. You won’t be sitting at the terminal mad because you missed your flight.

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
“Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
“For my yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30

God saw you growing tired, He saw your weary soul, He saw that you had so many “prohibited and restricted items” that emotionally TSA wouldn’t let you board your plane. He told you to put down:

• Faithlessness
• Fear
• Lack of trust
• Negative thoughts
• Worry
• Doubt
• Addictions
• Fill in the blank, what is God telling you to put down? What exceeds the size limit for you to move forward and find true rest?

Y’all I been packing for this trip since last year and as I was checking off of the boxes to ensure I was ready (didn’t want to be denied or delayed), I realized that I forgot to put down the things that didn’t fit into the carry-on baggage that would catapult me into my seat. You see I added courage and boldness because I knew that would fit in my luggage but I forgot to remove self doubt, negative thoughts, and insecurities. Them suckers was trying to fit under the seat, over my head, and it got so bad it started to corrupt my life- I was slowly going back into the box of shame and guilt instead of laying that down and picking up the new handbag that was crafted by God.

Little did I know that while I was preparing for the trip I would experience some mild to extreme turbulence that caused delays, storms in which I got caught plenty of times without an umbrella, and then I totally got derailed and as I was about to hit the brick wall, I saw a little glimpse of light through the fog. That glimpse of light came in the form of surrender. It wasn’t a quiet surrender it was one that took me through great pain, struggle, and agony.

By the grace of God, that pain, struggle and agony allowed me to openly accept God’s invitation to rest in Him. I didn’t have to worry about being stopped by TSA because I threw all the prohibited and restricted items out the window as I surrendered to God. My carry-on bag left the baggage out the door and I had room overhead and under my seat for God to continue cleansing, restoring, and healing what I allowed to get damaged.

I don’t know who needs to hear this but you’ve been running for a long time and I think you are at a place where you realize you been running in the wrong direction. Not only have you been going in the wrong direction but you’ve been carrying things, habits, and thoughts that have you over the size limit and it’s been weighing you down far too long. Can I tell you God has His arm opened wide ready for you to come to Him for rest. The Holy Spirit is still in business and ready to help you get to the next destination God has for you while on this journey.

He has a special going on right now where we can trade suit cases with Him. In Christ you might experience a patch of bad weather, some turbulence, and you might even get pat down by TSA but I bet you where you end up is far better than where you are headed without Him.

My end game and last stop will be knocking on Heavens doors but I’m still running towards Jesus, and I’m not tired yet. Will you take advantage of God’s offer? Sit back, fasten your seat belt, and enjoy the ride.

God bless.