baggage...

you know its a sad day when you can acquire more deep spiritual lessons from a tv show than from a christian song.

today, as i turned on the Christian music station, as i often do to hear a couple songs I like here and there, i was greeted by one of those "song in the background while the singer goes into detail about what the song is about," moments. i have no idea who the singer is or what the song is called...probably called baggage.

she went on and on about how the baggage we hold onto in our lives keeps us from truly knowing God and enjoying what He has given us and all we have to do is "let go of our baggage." this "just do it" mentally is really starting to urk me. (more on that later)

immediately my mind shifted to an episode of "how i met your mother," i viewed recently. You see this epidsode was also called, "baggage," except it was about looking for a mate and discovering that somewhere along the line you'll find the baggage they've been holding on to. at first it brings out weariness inside, claiming that everyone has baggage and it will always ruin the relationship so why even try. but towards the end Ted (star of the show) discovers that one of his new "prospects" isn't the only one with baggage, but he himself is the one holding on to it. The "baggage" shows up in physical form as suitcases next to each of them with writing on the sides describes what kind of messes they've found themselves in and how they are still burdened by those messes. Instead of them throwing these "bags" to the side they pick the other's up and continue walking together.

That's right. They don't walk away. They don't pretend to get rid of them, as if it is that easy. They instead "bare each others weight." of course the show ends with humor as the girl continues to go on as she is roommates with her brother and they sleep in the same bed and she ends up having slightly crazier "baggage" than he thought. But the principle is still evident.

I found more spiritual application from that show than from the lame description of "baggage" from this christian artist. I'm sure she meant no harm, but really what does "just let go of your baggage" even mean. I'm sick of hearing so called "christians" act like its just something you manage to get the energy and strength to do. in reality it looks more like "how I met your mother."

The "baggage" we carry is with us forever. We don't just let go and forget it, but we live with it. Spouses, family and friends help us by "picking up our suitcases" of luggage. This is how the burden is lifted, by allowing others to carry it for us, and accepting us despite the messiness of it all.

The main point being, Christ is truly the one who lifts up our baggage. He who carried it to the cross, who carries it now, and who will carry it to completion. The baggage we carry does not keep us from Christ, it drives us in despair to Him, the only one who can truly bare our burdens and give us true and complete joy.

Our baggage does not leave us. We are a mess. Thank God He is strong and can carry every ounce of it.