When God prompts me to pray over others, or myself, He will sometimes give me a vision/visual to lead my prayers.
Lately, the vision involves suitcases. I often see a vision of others, or myself, caring metaphorical suitcases. God, with His gentle nudge, invites us to hand over these suitcases. He asks to carry our load, or trade what we think is “best” for His “better.”
Your “suitcases” may be anything you are carrying around—worries, harmful relationships, our own harmful ways of coping with difficulties (such as addictions, restricting/binging what we eat, self-harm, etc), things in our lives that control us (such as pursuit of money/status, caring what people think, overachievement), your daily to do lists, etc etc etc.
If you are anything like me, you may resist handing over your suitcases. You may think “I can carry all these by myself, I don’t need help.” Or “but I want/need them!”
First of all, God wants to carry our heavy load. We may want to carry it all to feel “strong” or “in control,” but the load is often heavy. He wants to carry these burdens that weigh us down. It doesn’t mean weakness, but trusting in the one who carries the load much better than we can on our own. (Matt. 11:28-30)
Second of all, what He has for us is far better than the “suitcases” we struggle to let go of. This brings to mind a past experience which involves an actual suitcase. During a flight a few years ago, my favorite suitcase was damaged. One of the wheels was completely torn off. We called the airline, and after apologizing, they asked for the suitcase so they could repair it. Well, it was beyond repair, so they offered to buy me a new one—same model, but the newest edition. At first I was resistant. I thought “my suitcase has sentimental value, I want it!” But, I finally decided to take their offer, and received a brand new, updated suitcase in exchange for my broken one.
How often do we want to hold on to our “broken suitcases” when God has something far better to give us (either now, or later)?
So, while praying last Sunday in church, I asked God to break through our barriers and help us let go of our “suitcases.” I prayed He would take our heavy burdens and exchange them for peace. I prayed He would help us release those things we tightly grip and exchange them for His ways, His will, and receive what He has for us.
Walking with Christ means we don’t have to carry all our burdens alone. He wants to walk with us and carry our load. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. (Matt 11:30)
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