"Baggage!"

     Have you ever seen the television show “Baggage?” It is a dating game show that airs on the Game Show Network. On the show one contestant is introduced to three potential “dates.” Each suitor looks appealing to the contestant and then their baggage is revealed. Some of the revealed issues or “baggage” will be things like; “sleeps with her cats every night,” or “steals money from his mother.” Each suitor gets the opportunity to explain their “baggage” to the contestant. They are also encouraged to entertain or amuse the contestant in some manner in order to be chosen.

     Once the contestant sees the “baggage” of their potential suitors, they decide which person they will go out on a date with or whose “baggage” they can deal with. After making their choice, the person who is chosen is then allowed to see the contestant’s “baggage” and decide if they want the date after all.

     Thinking about the premise of this show made me realize how glad I am that God is not like man! Our God is loving and forgiving. You may feel you can’t live the Christian lifestyle because you have too much “baggage.” But I want you to know that Christ is not like man and He will accept your baggage and forgive you of whatever you may have done, no matter how great or small.

     All you have to do is be open and honest with Him and repent. Let’s be clear; to repent is not just to say you are sorry for what you have done. It is to turn from doing wrong and strive with all your might not to error again.  Living a Christian lifestyle is not as difficult as many suppose. Christians are not repressed from having fun, we just choose to life as Christ would have us live. We are to make a conscience effort to be an example for others to follow by living a holy and clean lifestyle.

     II Chronicles 7:14 says, “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and forgive their sins and heal their land.”  With God it’s that simple, repent and turn and He will forgive and heal.

     No need for tricks. All you need to do is submit yourself to Christ; ask Him to come into your heart and live for Him from that moment forward. God doesn’t care about your “baggage.”  He doesn’t sift through it to decide whether or not you are good enough for Him. He will forget and remember no more.

Think about it!