Pastor Chantry Dean creatively demonstrated to his congregation what it looks like to carry the burdens of yesterday.
Chantry Dean
One of the pastors of Calvary Church Bentonville, Chantry Dean, delivered a profound reminder for the new year. In his sermon entitled ‘Making Room For Tomorrow,’ he creatively demonstrated to his congregation what it looks like to carry yesterday’s burdens. This was illustrated by carrying loaded suitcases and bags while attempting to find a seat in the middle of the room. He even asked one of his members to hold his baggage.
“It may hinder your worship, but it’s okay. It may keep somebody that wants God from finding Him, but it’s okay. I’m just going to hold on to it anyway,” he said to his seatmate.

It seemed as though his luggage and bags weren’t affecting the people around him, but in reality, they disturbed them. Additionally, he demonstrated to his church members what it looks like when the worship leader asked someone who was carrying yesterday’s burdens to lift their hands and worship God. He attempted to raise the heavy suitcases with all his strength and might.

Calvary Church Bentonville [@calvarychurchnwa]. Making Room For Tomorrow. Instagram, January 16, 2024, https://www.instagram.com/reel/C1k42P4segQ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Carrying Yesterday’s Burdens
Then he highlighted, “We’re laughing, but that’s how silly some of us look… When we roll into the house of God, and we can’t even lift our hands, because we are so heavy-laden. And so burdened down with all kinds of mess and junk from ‘yesteryear,’ from yesterday.”
Furthermore, he encouraged people to unpack their baggage of loneliness, pain, heartache, loss, fear, and shame.
“What we cannot afford to carry are the things from yesterday that should have been left behind. The journey is simply too long for this, and so we have to let it go,” he explained.
“Unpack your yesterday…Let go of that bitterness, let go of that pain…Let God help you remove this from your life. Give it to God,” he shared.
Watch the video full sermon here.
Reference | Calvary Church Bentonville
Header Image: Calvary Church Bentonville [@calvarychurchnwa]. Making Room For Tomorrow. Instagram, January 16, 2024, https://www.instagram.com/reel/C1k42P4segQ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link