Traveling Light: Releasing the Burdens You Were Never Intended to Bear [Hardcover]

Max Lucado (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2001

Weary travelers. You've seen them -- everything they own crammed into their luggage. Staggering through terminals and hotel lobbies with overstuffed suitcases, trunks, duffels, and backpacks.

Backs ache. Feet burn. Eyelids droop.

We've all seen people like that.

At times, we are people like that -- if not with our physical luggage, then at least with our spiritual load.

We all lug loads we were never intended to carry. Fear. Worry. Discontent. No wonder we get so weary. We're worn out from carrying that excess baggage. Wouldn't it be nice to lose some of those bags?

That's the invitation of Max Lucado. With the Twenty-third Psalm as our guide, let's release some of the burdens we were never intended to bear.

Using these verses as a guide, Max Lucado walks us through a helpful inventory of our burdens. May God use this Psalm to remind you to release the burdens you were never meant to bear.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

From beloved award-winning author Max Lucado comes Traveling Light, refreshing words wrapped around the biblical passages of the 23rd Psalm to reenergize weary spiritual travelers. In his inimitable, pastoral voice that both soothes and exhorts, Lucado gently unpacks the verses of the psalm while helping readers lay down the burdens of doubt, anxiety, perfectionism, and fear. "You can't enjoy a journey carrying so much stuff," Lucado writes. "Why don't you just drop all that luggage?" Lucado mixes personal transparency with his trademark humor, offering uncomplicated counsel. Change your focus. Make time for rest. Know you are not alone. Be humble. Trust God. It's only when we set down our "luggage" and let God carry it for us, says Lucado, that we are free to share grace, offer comfort, and help lift the load of others. As you read Lucado's words and work through the study questions, you'll find your own load feeling a little lighter. --Cindy Crosby

From Publishers Weekly

Feel the need to throw off the cumbersome burdens that weigh you down? Certainly, responsible adults learn to adjust to tremendous stresses and equip themselves to carry the heavy weights of self-reliance, weariness, worry and hopelessness over the long haul. But this is not necessary, says bestselling author Lucado (Just Like Jesus; He Chose the Nails; The Applause of Heaven). In Psalm 23, God counters the misconception that burden-bearing signals Christian maturity and admonishes followers to leave their loads at Christ's feet, as he is the only one truly equipped to handle the weight. Lucado dissects Psalm 23 while recounting tender tales of men and women who have overcome crushing circumstances with Christ's support. In keeping with Lucado's typical homespun style, humorous anecdotes often precede powerful punches of biblical truth. Rounding out this collection of essays is a study guide encapsulating each chapter's topic. Readers will travel back, up and on as they reread key excerpts, study pertinent Bible verses and allow the lessons to take root. This insightful collection not only measures up to the high standard of Lucado's own previous works, but his profound perspective on life and spirituality frequently exceeds expectations. (Oct.) Forecast: This should be quite a boost for the recently christened W Publishing Group (formerly known as Word), whose cup runneth over with Lucado. Sales for He Chose the Nails have reached 720,000 copies, while Lucado's recent devotional, Grace for the Moment, has sold 600,000 copies for J. Countryman. W will spend a cool half million in shepherding this title toward the green pasture of bestsellerdom.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (October 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0849912970
• ISBN-13: 978-0849912979
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.6 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (102 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #210,301 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

In just under two decades of writing, Max Lucado has accomplished more than most writers hope for in a lifetime. Most of his books have appeared on one or more best seller lists, including those published by the "New York Times," "USA Today," "Publishers Weekly," and the Christian Booksellers Association (CBA). Aside from hardcover books, Lucado's writings have also been published as children's books, videos, CD-ROMs, DVDs, music CDs, mass paperback booklets, apparel, giftware, bookmarks, calendars, study Bibles, workbooks, curricula, and plush products. In spring 2003, Hallmark/Dayspring Cards launched a new gift card line featuring excerpts from Lucado's writings--and has already sold more than one million cards.

All this success has drawn more than a little attention to a previously low-profile Texas author and minister. Lucado has been featured in a wide range of media, including "USA Today," "Larry King Live," and "NBC Nightly News." He has spoken at the National Prayer Breakfast before the President of the United States. He has traveled with internationally renowned musicians as a special speaker on their music tours, such as the highly successful "Come Together & Worship Tour" (sponsored by Chevrolet) with Grammy Award-winning artists Michael W. Smith and Third Day.

Journey to the Top
Lucado was born in 1955 in San Angelo, Texas, and raised in Andrews, Texas, the youngest of four children. His father was an Exxon oil field mechanic who, Lucado remembers, always smelled of grease cleaner. "It makes it easy for me to see a God who is loving and kind--because my dad was," he says. His mother was a nurse who grew up working in the cotton fields.

Lucado went through a period of rebellion against his parents' values and their God during his teens and into college. But it wasn't long before he found himself drawn back to his roots, back to God. He married, spent time serving as a missionary in Brazil, and returned to the States, where he began working as a church minister and writing on the side.

Secret to Success
From all accounts, Max Lucado is not a man consumed by sales, awards, and achievements. He often turns down media interviews since they impede on family and ministry commitments. He spends the bulk of his week serving as senior minister at Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas. And he is truly surprised by his own success--more impressed by his one-in-a-million wife and three amazing daughters than by his successful writing career.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars O Jerusalem, Jerusalem..., May 12, 2002

By 

Olga Loaiza (Dallas, TX United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Traveling Light: Releasing the Burdens You Were Never Intended to Bear (Hardcover)

"Traveling Light" is a book about the divine love of God. In its pages, Max Lucado conveys God's loving desire to be called in times of need. He also counsels us to offer God all of our burdens, the luggage of our wants, worries, hopelessness, guilt, arrogance, grave, grief, fears, loneliness, shame, disappointment, envy, doubt, homesickness, etc.

In Traveling Light, Lucado provides magnificent insights of the Twenty-Third Psalm. He also gives a few lessons on livestock; for instance he says, "In ancient Israel shepherds used oil for three purposes: to repel insects, to prevent conflicts, and to heal wounds...Sheep get hurt. As a result, the shepherd regularly, often daily, inspect the sheep, searching for cuts and abrasions... we have wounds, but ours are wounds of the heart that come from disappointment...and so just like sheep, we need to be treated...He will do for you what the shepherd does for the sheep. He will tend you... only God can heal..."(126-129). One may not finish this book prepare to raise sheep but one may definitely finish it ready to begin a Shepherd/sheep relationship with God. What more could we ask for?

Lucado's sense of humor makes his teachings easier to understand and fun to read. He also uses words in such a way that he helps one see things under a total new perspective; like when he explains that "God is the God who follows" (146). I think that the idea of having an almighty God, the God who created the stars, following us anywhere we go is absolute terrific. Who are we to deserve such a treatment?

And while taking a journey in this world, who will help us create a relationship with God? The King of kings, our sweet Jesus, the Good Shepherd who gave his life for the sheep, explains Lucado. How about our luggage? Leave it at Calvary. Max Lucado writes, "The path of righteousness is a narrow, winding trail up a steep hill. At the top of the hill is a cross. At the base of the cross are bags." (67) And it is there exactly where he invites us to leave all of our burdens. And what will we do today? About today Lucado reminds us of Jesus' words,

"So don't worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will have its own worries. Each day has enough trouble of its own" (Matt 6:34 - 51/Traveling).

41 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You can't believe how blessed I was, December 31, 2001

By 

iljc82 (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Traveling Light: Releasing the Burdens You Were Never Intended to Bear (Hardcover)

This is the first Max Lucado book (well, book) I've ever read and no words in my venacular can praise his work enough. It has so inspired and blessed me!


Traveling Light is based on the old (and one of the most famous Psalms) Psalm (23) by David the King. Lucado guides the reader with such tenderness, light-heartedness (and I mean it... You won't believe how quirky and witty he can get *Grin*) and insight into the very heart of the Psalm and God, eventually.

I enjoy thoroughly the way Lucado writes about his personal encounters as well as draws experience from others (from his wife to Moses) to illustrate each topical aspect of the Psalm. And it really helps you to see the big picture about vital life lessons such as pride, want and fear.

Apart from that, each topic is supported by reading references and questions that challenge you to probe further until you get a satisfactory answer for yourself! His intuition to human needs is amazing: Lucado is able to ask questions which I have long wanted to ask, and gives answers in his writing.


It's a brilliant book. What more can you ask for if a Psalm barely filling up a third of a page in a typical Bible is turned into sort of a guidebook comprising 220 pages? Truly, God must be in this writing. And if Max ever gets to read this book review, I'd like to thank him... For his modest sharing :o)

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Peace through the 23rd. Psalm, January 17, 2003

By 

Karen Potts (Lake Jackson, Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Traveling Light: Releasing the Burdens You Were Never Intended to Bear (Hardcover)

As a pastor, Max Lucado knows that people carry a lot of baggage with them. This baggage includes worry, guilt, arrogance, discontent, grief, fear, loneliness and shame. He knows that the antidote to these attitudes is found in the 23rd. Psalm. In each chapter, Lucado uses a phrase to illustrate how God rescues us from negative thinking and old attitudes which are a deterrant to a fulfilling life. He shows that relying on God and turning our problems over to Him, allows us to get on with the business of life in a much more positive and constructive way. Readers will see themselves in the chapters which describe the human "baggage" that we carry and will feel relief in the solutions that Max Lucado offers through faith in God. This is an uplifting and encouraging book.