I WAS OUT FOR MY MORNING WALK THE OTHER DAY, when my eyes fell on something rather startling. I have about four different trails that I take, weather permitting, but my favorite one includes a rather steep incline (good for the heart, you know). As I was descending, this guy was coming up the hill, with something on his back that in size resembled the largest suitcase I own.

I thought to myself, “Is this fellow crazy? Is he a weekend warrior on a training mission? Is he fulfilling a hazing assignment? What’s the deal?” I mean, the sweat was running down his face (which, by the way, was very, very red) and he was gritting his teeth. Maybe he was trying to lose weight or get in shape. I don’t know, but I could see that he was on a mission—eyes straight ahead, so I didn’t want to bother him with a question.

My mind immediately went back to something I had read a long time ago in that Christian classic, Pilgrim’s Progress, by John Bunyan. The main character in the book, Christian, is on a journey to the Celestial City and he is dragging quite a load along with him. As he ascended the top of a hill, he saw the cross and his burden fell off and his heart became light because he had been relieved of his burden.

I wonder how many people are carrying an unnecessary load of guilt or some other hurt or hang-up from the past? The Apostle Paul has some advice for us here: Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up (Hebrews 12:1, NLT).
If your life is a drag, it may be because you’re toting stuff that’s slowing you down. Take a few minutes in prayer to release those situations, one by one, to God’s control. Then humbly ask the Lord to fill you with His truth and wisdom.