Last week we invested a week on a sailboat our son graced us with in California.

It was a week of rest, reflection and letting go of somethings.

Vacations are great to get unplugged and get away.

They are a great time to experience the new and let go of the old.

It is great to reduce the amount of material things along the way in life…check out http://www.theminimalists.com

But I’m mostly thinking about the emotional baggage — the spiritual baggage.

Guilt, shame, and regret. Unhealthy attitudes, bad habits. Misplaced priorities. Impossible standards and unrealistic expectations — for ourselves and others. Unresolved hurt, bitterness, and unforgiveness. Prejudice, self-righteousness, complacency. Fear, worry, and negativity.

I actually got a box and put some “emotional baggage” in it and left it a garbage ben on the beach.

It was very freeing!

Here are a few scribbles and thoughts of stuff we should leave behind.

Jesus tells us to “shake the dust off your feet” Matthew 10:14

Our baggage weighs us down and hinders us from  moving toward our God intended future.

Another story in the old testament tells of Saul binding behind his baggage – “When Samuel gathered all the tribes of Israel, the tribe of Benjamin was picked…Saul son of Kish was picked. But when they looked for Saul, they could not find him. 22 They asked the Lord, “Has Saul come here yet?”  The Lord said, “Yes. He’s hiding behind the baggage.”  23 So they ran and brought him out. When Saul stood among the people, he was a head taller than anyone else. 24 Then Samuel said to the people, “See the man the Lord has chosen. There is no one like him among all the people.”  Then the people shouted, “Long live the king!” 1 Samuel 10:20-24 (NCV)

Dust That Derails Your Destiny

Shake off the dust of Bad DAYS.
Shake off the dust of Bad DEEDS.
Shake off the dust of Bad DEBTS.

Two  types of anger expressed in the Bible.
“Be angry and sin not”  Ephesians 4:26

“Thumos” is anger expressed .    “Perogismo” is anger repressed .

1. It Takes Control Over Me.
You tear yourself to pieces in your anger. Job 18:4 (ncv)

2. It Effects All Of My Other Relationships.
See to it that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. Hebrews 12:15 (niv)

3. It Damages me Spiritually.
Be angry and sin not …Do not give the devil a foothold Ephesians . 4:27

How To Leave The Baggage Behind

1. I Need To Forgive With A Positive Attitude.
2. I Need To Forgive Others Like God Has Forgiven Me.
3. I Need To Forgive To Release my Future.

We have No Future Without Forgiveness

“shake the dust off your feet” Matthew 10:14
“the washing with water through the word” Ephesians 5:26 
“never let the arrows of criticism pierce your heart unless it first passes through the filter of scripture.” – Erwin Mcmannus

Leave some stuff behind and travel light.

Steve