Skycaps stand patiently at the airport’s curbside or near the front doors waiting for you to arrive. You are glad to see them when you are carrying tons of luggage because these porters can get a luggage cart to you quickly. At other times you ignore them because you only have a carry-on bag, or you may be checking in at the kiosk. You also may not want to dig out the cash for a tip. Regardless of your reason for handling your own luggage, the skycap’s job never changes. In airports that still provide the service, the ever-present offer is, “May I check your baggage?”
This reminded me of a recent sermon which encouraged us to stop carrying our load of unconfessed sin and ask God to forgive us. In addition to that, we have other brothers and sisters in Christ who can help us with our accountability. This will help us get rid of weighty stuff that is impeding our progress. Scripture tells us to “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results” (James 5:16). But doing so requires us to admit our shortcomings. Paul says it this way: “So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body” (Ephesians 4:25).
Checking your baggage is an integral part of Alcoholics Anonymous. Participants consistently confess their addictions and are immediately supported and encouraged by other AA members. This accountability process continues throughout a recovering alcoholic’s life. It is a tremendously positive step when we confess a weakness that has been hindering us. Truthfully, what we may be trying so desperately to hide is often already obvious to others. James 5:13-16 tells us that the prayers of OTHERS can heal, lift, and save. The hands of OTHERS can touch and bless. God expects us to stop at the curbside of a fellow Christian brother or sister and check our baggage with them so that we can make our flight with ease. Ask God to give you the humility you need to confess your sins to Him and unload your baggage so that you can soon help carry the baggage of someone else in need.
Revised from a devotional published originally by Ardella in Words of Hope www.woh.org
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