The Baggage that Drowns

There once was a ship that was going down. It was filled with wealthy people, and in their panic, they left money and jewelry behind. A man, who had been a servant, went from room to room gathering all the goods he could find and stuffed them in his pockets. As the ship began to sink, he made his way to the deck, but there were no boats left. Seeing that another ship was on its way to help, he decided to chance it and swim to safety. He jumped into the cold water and tried to make his way to the ship, which was prepared to rescue him. He struggled to swim as his pants and coat were loaded down with jewels and other goods. Before he even made it halfway to his salvation, he grew too tired to keep going and drown.

There is so much that we cling to in this life, thinking that it’s somehow going to make our lives better so long as we keep it. Wealth, prestige, and image that we try to maintain even if it costs us. These are all things that end up weighing us down in the end. But I think one of our greatest hurdles in life, and certainly in our relationship with God, is pride.

“I got this. I can do it. No, God, I don’t need help. No, I don’t want to do it your way. I would rather to do it mine.” We may not actually say these things out loud, but we communicate it in our everyday life. I believe that one of the things that keeps people from believing in the saving grace of Jesus Christ is pride.

I have met so many people who simply believe that they can figure out how to get to heaven on their own. That God’s way doesn’t really matter. Let me ask you something. If you were interested in entering a foreign country, and a ruler there said that you had to show your passport in order to get in, would you argue? Would you tell them, “No you can just take my word for it, I am who I say I am”? Of course not! You would show them your passport or forget about trying to get in.

Yet, we as people keep telling God, “No, I can get into heaven my own way. You may be the king, but you don’t know anything. I am going to be a nice person, and that should be enough for you.”

I’m sorry, but I really don’t think that any earthy ruler would let that fly, and I don’t think that the Holy, all powerful creator of the universe is going to accept that lousy rhetoric either. He gave us a way. A way that requires us to humble ourselves before him and accept his hand which is offered to us, scarred by the nails where he took on our disgust and bore our soulful refuse. He’s not being mean, but he is requiring us to act like subjects to a good king.

Oh and by the way, this might sound kind of nasty, and I might get some back lash for this, but I’m going to say it because I think it needs to be said. Is a father kind to those who are cruel to his kids? NO! So why do you think that God would be? Do you think that he is going to accept everyone because, well that’s the nice thing to do? No. He is a KING! He is HOLY! He loves sinners, yes. That’s how those of us who were caught up in our own selfishness were able to be redeemed and could achieve something more than a life dedicated to ourselves. But he loved us and wanted us to be who we were meant to be. He is not going to welcome someone who shows up to heaven and says they want in because they gave to charity or because they pulled over to help someone change a tire.

Jesus made it clear, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

He is saying, “I am offering you a way out of here and to the Father. There is no other way.”

Another analogy: You are in a burning building and fireman comes to you and wants you to follow him out. The path looks a little scary, but he has been through it and knows that that is the only way to safety. Do you decide to follow him, or do you get mad at him because you don’t like the direction he’s going? (Keep in mind that he entered the dangers of the burning building to save you.)

Guys it’s not complicated. In fact, it’s very simple. It’s us that makes it complicated. God is a good God to those that love him and follow him. (Psalms 73:1, Psalms 84:11) But to those who reject him as king and set themselves up against him, to them he will not be seen as loving but as vengeful. (Romans 12:19, Revelation 6:16, Revelation 14:10, Revelation 19:15)

So friend, unburden yourself. You don’t have to do this life alone. His hand is outstretched, he will save you. Let go of what you think is valuable now in order to live.