No extra baggage
The Lord 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; I will make your name great and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you" (Genesis 12:1-3).
God called Abram and gave him specific instructions. He was told to leave his father’s household and to proceed to a land which God would show him. God spoke specifically to Abram and did not mention any other names. God’s instructions were to Abram and Abram alone. However, when Abram left Haran, the Bible says “and Lot went with him” (Genesis 12:4). After a while, the relationship between them became uncomfortable because they both had great possessions, including flocks and herds, and the land was not big enough for both of them. Soon, disagreement broke out between their herdsmen. Finally, Abram decided that it was better that they part ways so he called Lot and asked him to chose the part of the land he wanted and he, Abram, would settle on the other part. So they parted ways.
Friend, when God calls us, He does not call us along with our Aunty Sue, Uncle Ben, Cousin Steve or our friend, Jane. He calls us separately and everyone has their own assignment. Unfortunately, some of us are used to carrying “extra baggage” that God did not ordain and sometimes He has to take drastic steps to cause us to drop the extra baggage just as He did with Abram. In Abrams’s case it was a person, a relative, but it need not be a person, it could be a habit, an addiction or even a tradition. Whatever it is, God wants you to part with it so that He may bless you.
Notice that after Abram and Lot parted ways, God then told Abram “Lift up your eyes from where you are and look north and south, east and west. All the land that you see, I will give to you and your offspring forever…………” (Genesis 13:14-17). Friend, there are some things that God wants to give to you but He cannot do so because you are not yet ready. Until you part ways with some folks, or give up some things, you cannot receive what He has in store for you.
Friend, get rid of the "extra baggage"
Prayer:
O Lord, you are worthy to be praised and I bless you today. I thank you for being a merciful and faithful GOD. I thank you for all the good things that you have in store for your people. Help us to be ready and available to receive those good things you have in store for us. Help us to get rid of every "extra baggage" that would prevent us from receiving that which you have for us in Jesus precious Name. Amen and Amen.
