When my boys were packing for Boy Scout camp, they had a list of everything they were supposed to include for the week. The list made the packing easier as you could check off each item as you packed: uniform, toiletries, shirts, swimwear, compass, flashlight, etc. No matter how well we followed the list, I always felt like they were leaving something behind when they walked out the door.
When they attended the National Jamboree, the packing became a crucial element to the camping experience. Everything they needed for two weeks had to be packed in the duffle bags provided by BSA. With strict packing guidelines, we did everything humanly possible to accommodate BSA. We stuffed and crammed two duffle bags full of everything a boy might need for two weeks, and it felt like the kitchen sink was included.
At the time of writing this article, Cile and I are going through boxes and boxes of things we’ve accumulated over the last 28 years. As much as we’ve tried to purge – either by giving stuff away or throwing it out – we, like so many others, failed.
Simplifying our lives to traveling light is the best path to take, and the trend is heading that direction. The digital era is helping lead the way as books, movies, music, and pictures take up far less space in a home than the physical volumes. Houses are being built less than 1000 square feet.
Two stories emerge where “traveling light” is key. The first comes from the first Passover in Exodus 12:11. The Israelites were to eat Passover with one hand on their staff, ready to exit the land. When the moment came, they took what they could carry and hastily departed from Egypt (Ex. 12:33). The second “traveling light” incident came when Jesus sent his disciples on a short-term mission trip (Mk. 6:7-13). They were to take nothing with them, except a staff. No money and no extra tunic. They were to trust God with their needs, and rely on the generosity of others.
While I have been on numerous campouts with my sons for Boy Scouts, I’ve never gone backpacking (my sons have). Packing everything you need for a week on your back is freedom; letting go of all the things I think I need is the ball and chain weighing me down.
We carry far more through this life than we need, and I’m not talking about suitcases and boxes but baggage. I can think of two types of baggage we lug around on our journey. The first is sin (Heb. 12:1). A life of freedom is a life free of sin and sinful ways. While many claim that sinful desires should be expressed and pursued, so much guilt and shame often come with expressing those desires, which translates into extra baggage. For instance, someone makes us mad and we decide to unload on him/her. We feel good for “getting it off our chest,” but then we realize how much damage we’ve caused, or how embarrassed we are by our actions. Suddenly, the momentary feelings of freedom are replaced by long-term feelings of guilt. We carry that baggage of guilt with us for a very long time.
The second type of baggage is an unforgiving heart. While Jesus commands us to forgive (Mt. 6:14-15), having a forgiving heart is a different matter. One might say our ego stands in the way of forgiving; we want that person to suffer. However, the only one suffering is the one refusing to forgive. Having an unforgiving heart tends to lead to bitterness and anger, both become excess baggage on our journey.
While I’m trying to unpack my boxes, I’m confessing that I’ve over packed for the move. But more so, I need to confess that I’ve over packed for my spiritual journey. I need to let go of some nagging sins, to forgive myself, and to forgive some people around me. The result is a lighter load and easier journey. And isn’t that what we want?
Soli Deo Gloria!
(i.e. only God is glorified!)