Are You Loaded Down With “Stuff?”
Mark 6:7-9 And He summoned the twelve and began to
send them out in pairs; and He gave them authority over unclean spirits; and He
instructed them that they should take nothing for their journey, except a mere
staff; no bread, no bag, and no money in their belt, but to wear sandals and He
added, “Do not put on two tunics.”
When I think about the disciples going out, I picture
in my mind them walking along a dusty road, no one carrying anything to weigh
them down on their journey. I suppose
the staff they were carrying was to help them as they climbed a steep incline
or to lean on as they rested. No
money. Full trust. Interestingly, the one who betrayed Jesus
carried the money bag.
I think of my life so full of ease – more than enough
clothes, money, food or any of the material possessions I might desire. These things could be a stumbling block if
they define who I am but I cannot let them.
Only Jesus can define who I am. When I go out to minister or if I just
stay at home and am ministered to by Jesus, I need to set aside all the
trappings of ease. My Bible is my staff
to lean on when life gets tough, to glean from when I read His word. It will teach me to trust in good times and
lean times. When sorrow comes I must realize
Jesus is enough. We need to remember
that all the worldly things are worthless unless we focus on the sufficiency of
Jesus and Jesus alone.
