Month: September 2025

lightening the load

Posted on by Grace Day

Sounds like something I need to do, lighten the load that is, and maybe that’s something you need to do too? It is easy to get bogged down with life’s cares, worries, demands, trials, hardships, challenges – it seems there is no shortage of things that cause us pain, give us pause or just outright stop us in our tracks and maybe bring us to our knees.

I have just been reading about Paul’s final voyage by sea to Rome. It was not an easy trip due to the fierce storms that arose threatening the ship and the lives of all those on board. One of their solutions was to lighten the load on the ship, hoping this would help the ship to fare better in the storm. This is part of the account of that journey by sea –

“Before very long, a wind of hurricane force, called the ‘northeaster,’ swept down from the island. The ship was caught by the storm and could not head into the wind; so we gave way to it and were driven along. . . . We took such a violent battering from the storm that the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard. On the third day, they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands.” (Acts 27:14-19)

This seems pretty drastic to me. Didn’t they need the things they were throwing overboard into that stormy sea? Or was their choice between their possessions and their lives? By giving up some of their “things” they were hoping to save their lives. Seems like a reasonable trade off to me. After all, I read these words in Luke –

“What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?” (Luke 9:25)

Those on the ship sailing with Paul were definitely willing to part with some things if it meant keeping their ship afloat and therefore themselves alive in the middle of the storm. But the storm continued. They had more choices to make. I read what they did next –

“When they had eaten as much as they wanted, they lightened the ship by throwing the grain into the sea.” (Acts 27:38)

So they continued to lighten the load by throwing overboard whatever was still weighing the ship down. In this case it was food! Now food seems pretty important but if they drowned in the sea, I guess they wouldn’t need the food anyway. Gives new meaning to the phrase “traveling light” doesn’t it?

Which is a goal of mine whenever I travel – to travel light – to travel with as little as possible, just the necessities, so I don’t have a lot of unnecessary stuff weighing me down. So just how much stuff do I need to take with me when I travel anyway? For me, the length of the journey often determines how much I think I will need to carry with me. However, there is also the inevitable “accumulation factor” which I always forget to include in my calculations, meaning I am going to accumulate additional things along the way, whether by my intentional shopping for souvenirs etc. or simply because I will automatically, unintentionally acquire things as I move through life. These will consist of physical things of course, but also of relationships, memories, emotional, mental and spiritual additions that will be added as I continue on my life’s journey.

But what about my life’s journey? It certainly consists of more than just travel by ship as the apostle Paul was doing, or by “planes, trains and automobiles” (a favorite movie title). My life’s journey, as is yours too dear reader, is one that is impossible to adequately pack for due to the fact that I don’t know what lies ahead. (only God does) I can’t possibly know, but it is sure to include all kinds of weather – storms, adversity, mountains, valleys, feast and famine, drought and flood, scarcity and times of plenty. How can I possibly pack for all contingencies that my entire life’s journey will most certainly include?

I think Abraham faced this very same situation. However, he didn’t let worries or indecision over what to pack for his life’s journey stop him from answering God’s call. He just packed it all! I don’t think this is a good example of traveling light but who am I to criticize Abraham? I read this account of Abraham’s response to God’s invitation –

“The Lord had said to Abram, ‘Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you;’ . . . So Abram left, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. . . . He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Haran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there.” (Genesis 12:1-5)

Abraham definitely did NOT pack light! He took ALL his possessions. He even packed people! Besides his wife and nephew, he took “the people he had acquired in Haran” meaning, his servants. Of course, there were no grocery stores along the way, so the fact that Abraham took all his flocks and herds of animals with him on this trip was necessary if they were going to have food to eat as they traveled and food when they arrived at their destination.

Lot also was not traveling light. He had his family, his flocks and herds and his servants with him as well. Because of this, the two men did eventually part ways, going in opposite directions so each of them could have enough land to support their animals and their possessions. I know Abraham had a lot to carry with him because I read this about him-

“Abram had become very wealthy in livestock and in silver and gold.” (Genesis 13:2)

But that was then. Today we have grocery stores and I have a credit card. Surely, I don’t need to carry everything with me as I journey through this life? If I run out of toothpaste, I can find a place to buy some more, right? After all, when Jesus sent His disciples out, He gave them these instructions –

“When Jesus had called the Twelve together, He gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and He sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He told them: ‘Take nothing for the journey – no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. If people do not welcome you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave their town, as a testimony against them.’ So they set out and went from village to village, preaching the gospel and healing people everywhere.” (Luke 9:1-6)

Wow! Now that is truly traveling light! No change of clothes, no credit card, no snack for the road – this required his disciples to completely trust Him and then to obey Him. And they did. So, what travel instructions has my Heavenly Father given me? Well, I read this –

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:1-2)

Ok, so there are things I don’t need to carry with me because they are hindering and entangling me – things such as sin and whatever things burden and therefore hinder me in this race I am running, such as fear, anxiety, bitterness, jealousy, selfishness, greed, grief, unforgiveness – the list is long. BUT – these are all burdens I can choose not to carry with me. I don’t have to carry them. There is One who will carry them for me.

“Cast all your cares on Him because He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)

“Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.” (Psalm 68:19)

I am told what to leave behind and I am told what to put on for the journey. Remember going to summer camp and getting a packing list of exactly what to bring? It was always very specific ie bug repellant, flashlight, (batteries) rain poncho, hiking boots, sun screen, hat, canteen, (today’s water bottle) and so on. Nothing extraneous – just essential stuff. So what is essential for me today and every day on my life’s journey? Well, my Heavenly Father has given me the list, and He also provides me with what He asks me to put on and to carry with me for the trip –

“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Ephesians 6:13-17)

Throw off everything that hinders and entangles, put on the full armor – ok, I got it! If I follow these directions, I can be confident as I travel through this life toward my eternal destination that –

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:8)

I already have all that I need! Unlike Abraham, I don’t have to carry it all with me. I can truly travel light. And I can even lighten my load further, by giving my heaviest burdens to my Savior, who has already borne the heaviest burden of all for me, that of my sin. Jesus took that one to the cross for me, so that I am set free to run this life race for Him burden free.

And I will do just that. I will continue to lighten my load as I travel, casting my cares on my Heavenly Father, confessing my sin, forgiving others, generously sharing instead of accumulating – trusting God that I have all that I need in Him.

it is in the lightening of the load that I am set free!

sincerely, Grace Day

paralyzed by the whys

Posted on by Grace Day

I don’t know about you, but I want things in my life and in this world to make sense, to be predictable, to be foreseeable, to be understandable, to be controllable. I guess I want to feel that I have some power over the events that surround and affect me on a daily basis. I can even be lulled into temporary complacency, thinking I will always have tomorrow to do or to take care of whatever it is that I am putting off doing at the moment. And then the unexpected evil strikes and I am reminded that I should be redeeming the time.

“Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15-16)

It certainly does seem as though these days are filled with evil events that surprise us and shock us out of any complacency that might have characterized our days. I find myself feeling overwhelmed, discouraged and defeated when such evil acts occur. I often feel paralyzed, wondering what I can do, if anything, that will make a difference against such seemingly overwhelming evil. Then I remember these words from Paul’s letter to the church in Rome –

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21)

Ok, I am to be doing good in this world. But what does that “good” look like? Well, as it turns out, in Romans I find some pretty good (pun intended) suggestions of good things I can do, suggestions on how I can live my life in a way that just might make a difference for good, that just might make this world more like the place I wish that it were and desperately want it to be. These are the directions –

“Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. . . . Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. . . . Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. . . . Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath. . . . On the contrary: If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.” (Romans 12:9-20)

These words are good advice but a constant challenge for me to actually live out. However, when I do follow God’s leading and obey His commands, through the power of His Holy Spirit, I discover that I am able to make a difference for good in this world. I need not be paralyzed with fear and despair when horrible things happen, things that break my heart and cause me to question who is winning this war – good or evil? I don’t have to remain paralyzed. God calls me to action – the action of loving Him and of loving my neighbor. Action is the antidote to paralysis just as love is the antidote to hate and peace the antidote to violence.

It is all too easy for me to become burdened with the “whys” when terrible things happen – BUT these words of Jesus give me hope –

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

I don’t have to lose hope when circumstances seem to suggest that evil is winning the day. After all, God allowed Joseph to be sold by his own brothers into slavery in Egypt. Looked like a win for evil. BUT – There Joseph worked his way up into a pretty sweet gig, being in charge of Potiphar’s household. That didn’t last however, and Joseph ended up in prison after being falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife. BUT – in prison Joseph found favor and made friends with Pharoah’s cupbearer. This lead to Joseph eventually becoming Pharoah’s second in command. Why did God let the bad things happen to Joseph? Joseph himself answered this question when he said this to his brothers –

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” (Genesis 50:20)

In this case it was the literal saving of the physical lives of Abraham’s descendants, Jacob and his sons and their children. There was a famine in their land so they traveled to Egypt to get food to sustain them. Egypt had plentiful stores of grain because of Joseph’s wise leadership, so Joseph was able to offer them lifesaving rations. But Joseph did better than that, he invited them to come to Egypt to live, all of them and their flocks and herds of animals which would otherwise have died during the famine. The saving of many lives was accomplished.

Today, God is still bringing good out of evil events. Evil never has the last word. In John, I read these words of Jesus –

“I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” (John 12:24)

How true. The buried seed becomes a plant or a tree which grows and produces a thousand- fold more seeds, which will in their turn be buried, allowing them to produce an even greater crop of plants and trees and exponentially more seeds. Today, even as I grieve, I will not be paralyzed by the “whys.” Instead, I will trust in the goodness of my Sovereign Heavenly Father and His eternally good plan for His beloved, those He created in His very own image – us – you and me, dear readers – we are His and He has good plans for each one of us.

” ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ ” (Jeremiah 29:11)

If only you and I would choose His way instead of our own ways. When I choose to trust my Sovereign Creator God, I am no longer paralyzed by the “whys” of evil events or by the fear and despair that can result from evil acts apart from the grace, forgiveness and hope that are found in God’s ways. Today, and every day, I choose to trust in God, even in the face of evil.

” ‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.’ ” (Isaiah 55:8-9)

sincerely, Grace Day

counting the cost

Posted on by Grace Day

Faith is costly. At least mine is. And I bet that’s true of your faith also, dear readers. But why must my faith come with such a cost or at such a high price? Well, I read in one of Peter’s letters this-

“. . . now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith – of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire – may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” (1 Peter 6-7)

So, my faith, your faith, is valuable – so valuable that it is “of greater worth than gold.” This makes sense when I realize that quite a high price was paid to rescue me, to redeem me, to purchase my eternal salvation. How high the price that brings me eternal life? The highest price possible – the life of God’s only Son, Jesus. Revelation reminds me of the price paid, saying this about Jesus –

“You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because You were slain, and with Your blood You purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” (Revelation 5:9-10)

God purchased you and me for Himself with the very blood of His Son, Jesus. Probably why Paul wrote these words in his letter to the church at Corinth –

“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own, you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

When Paul told the Corinthians that they were “bought at a price”, he was referring to Jesus’s sacrificial death and shed blood on the cross on their behalf. I, too, was bought at this price, this very high price. No wonder my faith is costly. Look what my rescue and redemption cost God – the shedding of the blood of His own Son.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

Centuries before God provided Jesus to pay our sin price, God provided Abraham with the sacrifice that he needed at a very critical time.

“Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, ‘Father?’ ‘Yes, my son?’ Abraham replied. ‘The fire and wood are here,’ Isaac said, ‘but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?’ Abraham answered, ‘God Himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.’ And the two of them went on together. . . . Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide.” (Genesis 22:7-8 & 13-14)

My redemption is costly. So should my faith be also. King David said as much in this exchange –

“Araunah said to David, ‘Let my lord the king take whatever pleases him and offer it up. . . .O king, Araunah gives all this to the king.’ . . . But the king replied to Araunah, ‘No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.’ ” (2 Samuel 24:22-24)

Faith comes with a cost. Jesus was honest and up front about this.

“Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for Me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:24-26)

Yes, there is a cost to following after Jesus in faith. And you and I must count that cost and make our decisions accordingly. Jesus gave just such advice when He said –

“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, ‘This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.’ Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be My disciple.” (Luke 14:28-33)

I have a choice to make every day – my way or my Savior’s way. The choice is always mine to make. No one said it would be easy – not even Jesus, Himself. In fact, Jesus said –

“Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head.” (Matthew 8:20)

Jesus wasn’t promising a cushy, comfortable lifestyle to anyone. In fact, Jesus also gave this warning –

“No servant is greater than his master. If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you also.” (John 15:20)

For some, they count the cost of following Jesus, and it is simply too high. It is a price they are not willing to pay. Such was the case for one man who sought out Jesus but then decided the cost was too high. The encounter unfolded in this way –

“As Jesus started on His way, a man ran up to Him and fell on his knees before Him. ‘Good teacher,’ he asked, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ . . . Jesus answered, You know the commandments: . . . ‘Teacher,’ he declared, ‘all these I have kept since I was a boy.’ Jesus looked at him and loved him. ‘One thing you lack,’ He said. ‘Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.’ At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.” (Mark 10:17-22)

I guess, for this man, the cost was just too high. Then there was a woman who was ridiculed, even shamed for offering to Jesus something that was quite costly. (kind of like King David who would not give something that didn’t cost him anything) Her story is this –

“Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’s feet and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray Him, objected, ‘Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages. . . . ‘Leave her alone,’ Jesus replied. ‘It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of My burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have Me.’ ” (John 12:3-8)

A year’s wages! And Mary poured it on the feet of Jesus! She counted the cost and made her sacrifice of love.

The disciples saw the cost of their salvation and redemption as they watched Jesus’s sufferings as He hung on that cross. After Jesus’s resurrection, they had a choice to make. Would they carry His gospel message of God’s love, forgiveness and redemption to all people, including the Gentiles? It would not be easy. Spreading the gospel, speaking truth, would be downright dangerous. They already knew this because they witnessed what those in power did to Jesus. They knew their fate would be no different.

And yet, they counted the cost of their faith in Jesus and then they set out to do exactly what Jesus asked of them.

“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’ ” (Matthew 28:18-20)

They were all killed for sharing their faith – each one paid the ultimate price. Faith was costly then and faith in God continues to be costly today. The events of this past week reminded me once again, just how costly faith is. May I be willing to count the cost, to follow Jesus without fear and even to pay the price of faith, since God’s word says my faith is “of greater worth than gold.”

sincerely, Grace Day