Holiday Part 1 - What to pack?


It is now the summer holidays, but it feels different this year. This year seems different with more people staying at home. However, some have decided to go on holiday. 

When you go on holiday, each traveller must make decisions about the sort of stuff that could go into his or her luggage.

What size bag to take?

Do I take the small bag, the medium bag or larger bag?

Will it last me for one week or two weeks? 

Decisions, decisions!

You need to pack and take the right items. 

It reminds me of a family holiday to New York. My dad picked up his suitcase at the airport and went to the hotel. Only to discover he picked somebody’s luggage up by mistake. Lucky enough he received his back. 

We can spend a long time deciding what suitcase to take, what to pack, but that doesn’t always prepare us for the journey ahead. 

Jesus said to his disciples...

“Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts— no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep. Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave" - Matt 10: 9-11


It seems that Jesus encourages people to travel light.

When you visit an airport or a train station, one thing you’re sure to see is baggage - passengers carrying all sorts of baggage. There’s an awful lot of weight in those bags.

Life is like a long trip. Enjoy each day, and don’t carry too much baggage. Maybe that’s what Jesus was preparing his disciples for. I wonder if you and I are carrying too much baggage in our own life?

This year has been a challenging year for us all. 

People are carrying with them emotional, spiritual, and physical baggage.

Emotional - people carry all kinds of emotional baggage. Losing a family member, a beloved pet, a dream gone.


We need to help each other with our baggage. To be open to each other and God is like opening up our luggage and removing an item. It makes us lighter. 

Some ways we can unpack our baggage:

Walking 

Running

Cycling 

Talking 

Listening to music 

Writing 

Drawing


The hymn what a friend we have in Jesus can help us with the things we are carrying. Are we weak and heavy-laden, cumbered with a load of care? Precious Saviour, still our refuge. Take it to the Lord in prayer.


Loving God, we pray for all those who are facing with so much baggage. 


We pray for all those that are needing hope, strength and encouragement. 


Loving God, please grant peace of mind and calm our hearts. Give us the strength and clarity of mind to find my purpose and walk the path you've laid out for us. We trust your Love God and know that you will heal all the things we are carrying. Just as the sun rises each day against the dark of night.


May our journey with you become lighter.


Amen.


Some questions to think about…


  1. What are some of the baggage that you are carrying with you?
  2. How can you unpack safely and helpfully?
  3. Who can you speak with to help you get through your unpacking?
  4. Who can pray with you during those times the baggage seems really heavy and too much to bear?


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