Most dads are lugging around bags marked “past mistakes,” “my dad did it this way,” or another outdated, regret-filled suitcase with a janky wheel. What are you doing with your bags? Here’s your 3-step guide for making sure no one else has to lug your baggage around. Step #1 Go to God. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (Matt. 11:28). Jesus says, “Come to me.” He didn’t say come to Paul, some miracle, or more work. Maybe you can’t find rest because you think the answer is more work. “All” here means everyone, you included. God alone, nothing or no one else will give you rest. Step #2 Leave your stuff with Him. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls (Matt. 11:29). The yoke connected two oxen. They’d walk side by side carrying a heavier load—still working, but the work was manageable. Release the heavy load of pride and cling to God instead. Does your family see you resting in Christ? Step #3 Live lighter. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light (Matt. 11:30). Jesus didn’t skip out on work, He found rest while working. You’re promised His grace and to not be given beyond what you can carry. God calls you to live lighter, but you’re never called to laziness. Model the freedom of traveling lighter to your family.

HOW TO BE A CHRISTIAN MAN: Someone once said that every person has a “God-shaped hole” in their lives, a spot in their hearts that longs to know God and to become more like Him. As a man who claims to follow Christ, that void has been filled, but you still need to know how to apply the truths of God and His Word to your life each day. In short, you need to know how to be a Christian man in this world. We’ve dug into Scripture and identified five characteristics of Christian men to help you on this important spiritual journey.

GETTING RID OF OUR DAD BAGGAGE: Fatherhood is a journey. The amount of baggage you take on the trip, though, depends on you. If you’ve been carrying more emotional and spiritual weight than you should be, this episode will help you identify the lies you’ve been believing and release them to the God who loves you more than you could ever imagine. You may never be able to completely resolve every issue in life, but you can learn to travel lighter by embracing the rest that only Jesus can offer.

“Beware the barrenness of a busy life.” —Socrates

“He does not seem to me to be a free man who does not sometimes do nothing.” —Marcus Tullius Cicero

“Rest time is not waste time. It is economy to gather fresh strength… It is wisdom to take occasional furlough. In the long run, we shall do more by sometimes doing less.” —Charles Spurgeon

“It’s not the load that breaks you down, it’s the way you carry it.” —Lou Holtz

Find rest. So you haven’t been a perfect dad. Consider not ruminating on that past mistake 15 years ago. I can’t know for sure, but some dads are pulling baggage that Christ claimed years ago. Your kids will notice how you handle your bags. You can’t tell your kid to keep shooting after that missed shot if you’re living far in the past? Are you a new creation? Move forward, not pretending your baggage never existed, but showing your new bag-handling skills, that you travel lighter now. You’re no longer leaving bags behind for others to lug around. Remember: Jesus says, “Come to me.”

Kent Evans
Author of Bring Your Hammer, co-founder of Manhood Journey

P.S. Was this Mountain Monday helpful? Tell me if you love it, hate it, or if there’s something you’d like in the next one.

Forward this to a dad you know who needs some encouragement.