Baggage Claim

A man and his daughter go on a cruise. The man repeatedly tells his daughter very sternly, "Do not give your bags to the concierge. I do not have extra money to tip gratuity. So we will carry our own bags to the room." The daughter nods just in anticipation of finally boarding the cruise. The pair meet with the concierge and he insists on carrying their baggage. The father respectfully declines and says, "we will carry our own luggage." The concierge explains how the cruise throws a welcome party for the guests and wanted them to enjoy it without being bothered by luggage. The father again protests to carry his family's baggage then admits to the concierge he doesn't have money to tip for the service. The concierge laughs and tells the father, he did not read the contract. "The service for carrying your luggage has been taken care of. Gratuity is included in the cruise fare. You are insisting on carrying baggage that is already paid for," says the concierge.

Why do we insist on carrying unnecessary baggage when Jesus paid it all.  He paid for the baggage we insist on carrying and burdening ourselves with. This was the sermon I heard the night I realized my luggage was stolen. I had came back in town from a trip to Miami and did not feel like taking the luggage in. I was running late to work the next morning and figured I'd take the luggage out when I get back home. Well, while I was at work someone felt the need to do it for me. After work, I came back to a less than full car noticing my all of my suitcases were gone. I mean, this was a trip to Miami! I brought the best of the best of my entire wardrobe on that trip. And it was all gone. Then what are the odds of mid-week bible study specifically teaching about carrying baggage we don't need. I know, not random at all because God is very intentional. I was so at peace with the situation. My grandfather had passed a few months earlier and honestly, after losing a loved one, losing possessions just aren't that bad because everything can be replaced. I know Jesus is on the mainline, but all of His messages are not left over the phone.