Hands Too Full to Receive

Written by Pastor Eric Everhart

A couple weeks ago I got to do one of my most favorite things–grocery shopping. There’s nothing better than fighting the crowds in the store, dealing with unhappy people, and standing in line forever. (Can you hear the sarcasm?) I would rather have a couple wisdom teeth pulled out than to have to do the weekly shopping. But it was that time again and the groceries needed to be bought. 

We finished up the shopping, grabbed some Chick-fil-A (doesn’t everyone?), and pulled into the garage. Melanie took her spot in the kitchen to put things away and I was left to bring in the goods. I popped the trunk of the car, and there, waiting silently in the dark of the trunk was approximately 1000 bags of food. I couldn’t help but think to myself, this is going to take forever.

Then it came to me–I know you have been there too, especially the guys–I bet I can get all of these bags in one trip! Six bags on my right arm, six on the left, four in my right hand, four in my left, two in my teeth, and then somehow I managed to squeeze four more bags between my arms. I got this, no sweat! I managed to waddle my way to the door of the house, bags swinging from left to right, hunched over from the weight of the bags. I was almost there…and I heard one of the bags begin to rip. I got this! 

As I neared the door, I noticed that somebody had dropped $40 on the garage floor. I could have waited to pick it up later, but I wanted to get that money before someone else did. So with all the bags hanging off my body, I stooped even lower, and reached out with my one unburdened finger and thumb to grab the dough. As I did, a bag slipped off my arm, crashing to the floor–then another–then another. Still trying to hold it all together, squeezing it all in tight, I had to admit that no matter how hard I tried, I was going to have to swallow my pride and set down the bags in order to reach that money. 

How much stuff are you carrying around each and every day? Do you carry around some unforgiveness, fear, a secret sin, maybe some anger or bitterness? Do you bear the weight of your own pride, a broken relationship, disappointment, or maybe even something deeper?  Does the weight of those things hold you back, affect your attitude, steal your joy, or even change you into a person you are not? Are you hunched over, holding it all in tightly, unable to grasp the good things because of your burden…just like those grocery bags. 

God doesn’t want us to carry those things around, he wants us to be free from the baggage that causes us pain, hurt, discouragement, anxiety, fear, and a bad view of ourselves.  You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free” Gal. 5:13.  Live as free people” 1 Peter 2:16. He wants us to set down the heavy yoke of the world so that we may be able to receive the blessings he has for us. If our hands are too full, and if we’re carrying too many bags, we may not be able to receive what God is trying to bless us with. “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace” Numbers 6:24-26. Are your hands too full to embrace this treasure? 

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isa. 41:10

Set down your bags, seek the Lord, and experience his blessings of JOY and FREEDOM!

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