Baggage. Less of It. - Steve Martin

 

Steve Martin, David Peterman in Israel (Sea of Galilee)

Baggage. Less of It.

 "…lay aside every encumbrance…” Heb. 12:1, NASU

 Yeshua (Jesus) loved to use stories, which we call parables, to teach others.

Think of it. One of the best ways we learn is by hearing stories. Wonderful biographies of others’ exploits; encouraging enactments of heroic quests; exciting adventures that inspire us to press on in our own lives.

Even little kids love to sit on the floor, look up, and hear fascinating stories that let their young imaginations fill in the unspoken words surrounded by glorious images.

So here is a story for you, to help you envision some hopeful results.

Two traveling men, one age 56 with a full beard and long hair to match it, and the other 67, with somewhat the beginnings of the balding status on the front line, set out from a rather busy airport on the east side of the land split by a major river…to cross the Big Pond to a promised land.

One bag apiece, weighing under the allowed 50 pounds/bag, was checked in at the airline counter. A nice lady served them, and once all set, they went and awaited the boarding of their Boeing 747-400 plane. All seemed well. Seemingly, of course. Until the huge plane and the approximately 430 passengers arrived at the foreign destination at the receiving end of the international flight.

Trusting that the checked luggage also arrived in good order as they did, they made their way through customs, straight to the baggage delivery section. They waited. They waited some more. They waited until nothing was left that came around the carousel oval-moving belt.

Their checked baggage did not arrive.

Nada. Nope. Not here.

Getting on the high-speed rail from the airport to the capital city of the Land, Jerusalem, Israel, took only 22 minutes. It was an enjoyable trip mingling with the sabras (native-born citizens), and with less heavy baggage to carry and maneuver up the four major long escalators to above ground, the final leg to the hostel on the light rail train brought back memories not forgotten from over 2.5 years ago.

The two weary men, a bit more hair having grown on their faces during the 17-hour total time trip, shuttled to their reserved room and collapsed. On the one bed. (Another story. Another day.)

One day passed. Two days more. Then one checked bag arrived. The other’s did not.

Three days, then four. Clap your hands and wait some more.

Two hours before departing from the hostel for the return trip home, the second checked bag arrived at the front desk. Joy erupted as some very special and valuable items in that bag were returned to the owner, from whence wherever they had been for 10 days.

During those days of “less clothing, less baggage” a natural lesson was learned.

The moral of the story is this: you can do without a lot more than you think you can. You need less baggage than you thought you did and will still get by.

Also, a spiritual lesson can be taught from this. What you think you need to walk with, you really don’t. The comforts once thought to be essential are not as important as you think they are. Prepare for what is ahead.

The Lord has you covered. You can get by with a lot less than you think and come out ok on the other end. (The 20,000 Ukrainians landing in Israel after escaping war in their land, many with all but one bag to their name, is also a major visual for all of us. One bag sometimes is all you need.)

“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2, NASU

Ahava and shalom,

Steve Martin

Love For His People founder

"Making the Climb – to the Mountain of the Lord" Julie Meyer, Santa Maria, CA - The Elijah List

"Making the Climb – to the Mountain of the Lord"

Julie Meyer, Santa Maria, CA     The Elijah List

Dream: The Mountain of the Lord

Psalm 24:3-4 Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His Holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart...

I had a dream, and it was as if I was "within" Psalm 24 walking up the Mountain of the Lord.

I had to set my heart for the journey. It was a steep and narrow path, though it was a path well-trodden, and I pondered the patriarchs of old who had walked this same path. 

(Photo via Julie Meyer)

In the dream, I was carrying baggage with me. I realized I would never make it to the top of the Mountain carrying it, so I took it off and laid it aside.

There were many people on this path walking alongside me, however I noticed that several on this same trek up the Mountain didn't want to remove their baggage. The higher they began to climb, the heavier the baggage became; still they held on tight, not wanting to set any of it down, not even the smallest of bags. 

They became so pre-occupied with what they were carrying, they were unable to ascend. So, tightly clinging onto their baggage, they simply stopped, turned around, and started walking back down the Mountain.

There was Only One Path to the top. I began to notice whispers and grumbling because the Mountain was real, the path was narrow, and it was steep. It required endurance and diligence to stay steady and to stay focused on the small narrow path.

I came upon an elderly man with a long wooden rod in his right hand. He had a long, white beard and long, wild, white hair that fell down over his shoulders. His face was set looking onward and upward. He was not looking to the left or the right. He was not turning around or even grumbling about the steepness of the path. 

He was not carrying any baggage; he was walking in one direction with a face that was set on arriving at the peak and nothing less. He looked as if he knew where he was going and how to get there, so I found my stride right with his. He had authority upon him, yet a deep, humble spirit.

Out of the corner of my eye, I began to see people looking for shortcuts or different, possibly-easier ways to reach the top. 

The elderly man would say to each one, "There are no shortcuts and there are no other paths. There is only one way, and it is this path. If you stay on it, it will lead you straight to the top; and to make the climb, you have to lay down all your baggage." 

(Photo via Pixabay)

As he spoke, his words penetrated the very core of my heart, and I kept telling myself, "Stay on the path, lay down all the baggage, and there are no shortcuts. Just keep walking, stay steady."

I happened to look up just in time to see a road sign: The Pathway of Humility. At that exact moment it was as if I was transported back in time, and I realized the man in front of me was Moses; in an instant, my eyes were open to see humility, diligence, steadiness, and zeal.

He continued up the Mountain, saying over and over, "There are no short cuts and there are no other paths. There is only one way and it is this path. If you stay on it, it will lead you straight to the top. It will also change you from the inside out. 

This journey will do a work of humility within. If you stay steady in the midst of the steep climb, it will produce diligence and endurance for your next season."

There Are No Shortcuts

Finally, we ascended to the very top of the magnificent Mountain. Very few men and women actually endured for the whole climb. But those who laid it all down were standing at the very top and crying out Psalm 24:7: "Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in."

I realized that I was standing in a place of great authority. This is the place where we have the authority to cry out, "Lift up your heads, O you gates!"

Many people get this invitation, but few make the whole journey. 

For many start the climb yet want to keep their baggage and are unable to continue up the Mountain. Some people wandered off the trodden path for other adventures that looked better to the eyes but were worthless to the soul.

I saw clearly there are no shortcuts to the top of this Mountain. It is easier to stay on the path. It is easier to keep walking. This Mountain, this climb, is an invitation of the Lord to climb His Holy Mountain with clean hands and a pure heart, and all the while embracing humility which produces great authority. 

Though some people start with baggage, or offenses, or unforgiveness – we all have the opportunity to lay it down. In order to continue upward, you have to lay everything down, otherwise it is impossible to make the climb, for the weight of these will make the climb too burdensome. (Photo via Pixabay)

The pathway called Humility is a steep climb, but it produces an inward life, a steadiness that you can only get if you stay on the path. No pain, no gain – but this trek is a place of great gain, living from the inside out...and if you can make it to the very peak, it's a place of new authority. Those who laid it all down and just did the journey, they began to proclaim in authority: "Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in" (Psalm 24:7).

Where are you in this climb? Is the path too steep and hard because you need to lay down some baggage? Do you find yourself looking for easier paths, easier ways to reach the peak? Maybe you have become distracted with the pleasures of this age, they might have caught your eye...

For we are all invited. We all receive the invitation to lay down our baggage, to stay on the path. We all get to be a part of this great climb up the Mountain of the Lord.

This is the season to lay it all down and to stay on the path: Lay down offenses, lay down unforgiveness, lay it all down and stay steady for the journey. 

You can do it...the Patriarchs of old walked this path. Jesus walked this path. Paul walked this path. Will you? 

(Photo by Jennifer Page "Forgiven"via elijahshopper.com)

Hebrews 12:1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.

Julie Meyer
Julie Meyer Ministries

Email: click here
Website: juliemeyerministries.com

Julie Meyer has spent over 15 years in Kansas City working alongside Mike Bickle to help establish the International House of Prayer. She is part of the leadership team overseeing the Global Prayer Room, she is a worship leader, song writer, author, and has also been a part of the staff at Forerunner Music Academy teaching vocal lessons and pouring into the next generation of worship leaders, singers, and musicians.

She attended Kansas State University and studied music. Julie is ordained with Encounters Network. She is a popular conference speaker and singer. 

She is the author of two books and many CDs, and she travels internationally, ministering at churches and conferences, leading worship and sharing on revival, God's heart for raising up the house of prayer, and worship.

To subscribe to The Elijah List go to:http://elijahlist.com/subscribe

Dream: The Mountain of the Lord

Psalm 24:3-4 Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His Holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart...

I had a dream, and it was as if I was "within" Psalm 24 walking up the Mountain of the Lord.

I had to set my heart for the journey. It was a steep and narrow path, though it was a path well-trodden, and I pondered the patriarchs of old who had walked this same path. (Photo via Julie Meyer)

In the dream, I was carrying baggage with me. I realized I would never make it to the top of the Mountain carrying it, so I took it off and laid it aside.

There were many people on this path walking alongside me, however I noticed that several on this same trek up the Mountain didn't want to remove their baggage. The higher they began to climb, the heavier the baggage became; still they held on tight, not wanting to set any of it down, not even the smallest of bags. They became so pre-occupied with what they were carrying, they were unable to ascend. So, tightly clinging onto their baggage, they simply stopped, turned around, and started walking back down the Mountain.

There was Only One Path to the top. I began to notice whispers and grumbling because the Mountain was real, the path was narrow, and it was steep. It required endurance and diligence to stay steady and to stay focused on the small narrow path.

I came upon an elderly man with a long wooden rod in his right hand. He had a long, white beard and long, wild, white hair that fell down over his shoulders. His face was set looking onward and upward. He was not looking to the left or the right. He was not turning around or even grumbling about the steepness of the path. He was not carrying any baggage; he was walking in one direction with a face that was set on arriving at the peak and nothing less. He looked as if he knew where he was going and how to get there, so I found my stride right with his. He had authority upon him, yet a deep, humble spirit.

Out of the corner of my eye, I began to see people looking for shortcuts or different, possibly-easier ways to reach the top. The elderly man would say to each one, "There are no shortcuts and there are no other paths. There is only one way, and it is this path. If you stay on it, it will lead you straight to the top; and to make the climb, you have to lay down all your baggage." (Photo via Pixabay)

As he spoke, his words penetrated the very core of my heart, and I kept telling myself, "Stay on the path, lay down all the baggage, and there are no shortcuts. Just keep walking, stay steady."

I happened to look up just in time to see a road sign: The Pathway of Humility. At that exact moment it was as if I was transported back in time, and I realized the man in front of me was Moses; in an instant, my eyes were open to see humility, diligence, steadiness, and zeal.

He continued up the Mountain, saying over and over, "There are no short cuts and there are no other paths. There is only one way and it is this path. If you stay on it, it will lead you straight to the top. It will also change you from the inside out. This journey will do a work of humility within. If you stay steady in the midst of the steep climb, it will produce diligence and endurance for your next season."

There Are No Shortcuts

Finally, we ascended to the very top of the magnificent Mountain. Very few men and women actually endured for the whole climb. But those who laid it all down were standing at the very top and crying out Psalm 24:7: "Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in."

I realized that I was standing in a place of great authority. This is the place where we have the authority to cry out, "Lift up your heads, O you gates!"

Many people get this invitation, but few make the whole journey. For many start the climb yet want to keep their baggage and are unable to continue up the Mountain. Some people wandered off the trodden path for other adventures that looked better to the eyes but were worthless to the soul.

I saw clearly there are no shortcuts to the top of this Mountain. It is easier to stay on the path. It is easier to keep walking. This Mountain, this climb, is an invitation of the Lord to climb His Holy Mountain with clean hands and a pure heart, and all the while embracing humility which produces great authority. 

Though some people start with baggage, or offenses, or unforgiveness – we all have the opportunity to lay it down. In order to continue upward, you have to lay everything down, otherwise it is impossible to make the climb, for the weight of these will make the climb too burdensome. (Photo via Pixabay)

The pathway called Humility is a steep climb, but it produces an inward life, a steadiness that you can only get if you stay on the path. No pain, no gain – but this trek is a place of great gain, living from the inside out...and if you can make it to the very peak, it's a place of new authority. Those who laid it all down and just did the journey, they began to proclaim in authority: "Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in" (Psalm 24:7).

Where are you in this climb? Is the path too steep and hard because you need to lay down some baggage? Do you find yourself looking for easier paths, easier ways to reach the peak? Maybe you have become distracted with the pleasures of this age, they might have caught your eye...

For we are all invited. We all receive the invitation to lay down our baggage, to stay on the path. We all get to be a part of this great climb up the Mountain of the Lord.

This is the season to lay it all down and to stay on the path: Lay down offenses, lay down unforgiveness, lay it all down and stay steady for the journey. You can do it...the Patriarchs of old walked this path. Jesus walked this path. Paul walked this path. Will you? (Photo by Jennifer Page "Forgiven"via elijahshopper.com)

Hebrews 12:1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.

Julie Meyer
Julie Meyer Ministries
Email: click here
Website: juliemeyerministries.com

Julie Meyer has spent over 15 years in Kansas City working alongside Mike Bickle to help establish the International House of Prayer. She is part of the leadership team overseeing the Global Prayer Room, she is a worship leader, song writer, author, and has also been a part of the staff at Forerunner Music Academy teaching vocal lessons and pouring into the next generation of worship leaders, singers, and musicians.

She attended Kansas State University and studied music. Julie is ordained with Encounters Network. She is a popular conference speaker and singer. She is the author of two books and many CDs, and she travels internationally, ministering at churches and conferences, leading worship and sharing on revival, God's heart for raising up the house of prayer, and worship.

To subscribe to The Elijah List go to:http://elijahlist.com/subscribe

LOVE FOR HIS PEOPLE FEATURED BOOK

Throughout our lives, God keeps His hand on our shoulders and nudges us on to more than what we could ever realize. 

I am excited to share how He did it this with me, and am confident mine will be a story you’ll be able to relate to. As I unveil my story, think back to those times when you knew there was some¬thing more but you just couldn’t put your finger on it. You knew deep down that life wasn’t what the TV sitcoms portrayed it to be. In our souls there is the hope, the cry for more, that someday questions will be answered and promises fulfilled if we just kept plugging away at what we know to do. 

In The Promise I share my 40 year journey with you, and show you that dreams do come true. Though Peter Pan isn’t real, the Lord, the One Who created us, certainly is, and He has a plan in place for each one of us. When you are done reading this story, my prayer is that you too will know more of that good plan and His purpose for you.

Steve Martin

Founder

Love For His People

Charlotte, NC

Buy here for $5.99 paperback. Kindle $2.99: 

The Promise - One Man's Journey 

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