This is a saying that I saw for the first time recently, and it got me thinking. This is something I am trying to understand... trying to live. But how is the question. What are we to let go of? And what are we to let God do?
The best answer I could come up with was... everything.
We are to let go of everything... and let God be everything.
Everything we have belongs to Him anyway... so it is not ours to hold onto.
So how do we let go? How do we let God?
Letting go... of something... of anything... can be a scary proposition for anyone. What we have we desperately want to hold onto.We feel more secure when we feel like we can control something... or anything. Whether it is letting go of someone you love, or letting go of the dreams you once held onto so tightly... actually letting go can bring pain and sorrow. I think that once we come to the realization that the people we love may one day leave... will ultimately one day leave... while it is difficult to bear, it becomes something we know we must do. And as time passes on and we grow older, the dreams we once had may start to fade into the reality that has become our life, and we learn to cope. New people will come into our lives and new dreams will crop up as we yearn for more in this life.
But there is one thing I believe that no matter what we do, or how hard we try, we can never really hold onto... we can never really have a grasp on... and that is control.
As I think all of us feel the need to be in control... of something... of anything... especially our own lives... when we find that we are not in control, that becomes hard for us to handle. And ultimately I think this is the only way to let go and let God. We turn over control of all we have, all we desire, all we can imagine... our love, our possessions, and our dreams... and let God be God over all of it.
And interestingly enough we also have to let go of our past, our failures, our hurts, our mistakes... and let God free us to live unchained by all that binds. Until we let go of our past, I think it will be impossible for us to let go of our present... and our future. To let go will require faith and trust that God will work out all things for the good of those who love Him... and He will, for His word says so.
Romans 8:28 (New International Version, ©2010)
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
I think our desire for control goes hand in hand with the worries that this life brings. We don't want to get hurt by people so we try to control them. We don't want to get hurt by our circumstances so we try to control them. But trying to hold onto that control brings worry... worry of the inevitable... which is loss of control. The more I think about it the more crazy it seems. Oddly enough though, that is how it seems to work.
So we let go of worry, and we let go of control... and just let God be God. What do we change by worrying anyway?
Luke 12:25-26 (New International Version, ©2010)
25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? 26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
To be honest, there really isn't a whole lot we can change about this life. We can't change yesterday, we can't control what happens today though we may try, and we can't dictate what will happen tomorrow.
Matthew 6:34 (New International Version, ©2010)
34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
This verse in Matthew actually has a command before it, one that should help us, could help us live without the fear and worries that we may have.
Matthew 6:33-34 (New International Version, ©2010)
33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
For me this has been a real tough lesson to learn... a real hard aspect of this faith to walk in. I tend to worry quite a bit. I have just recently had a conversation with someone I have grown to truly care for, and I find myself worrying about her quite often. What does tomorrow hold for us is a question that fills my mind. And yet by worrying about it I don't change anything. This is something I need to let go of, and trust that God will work it out for the good. To say that is so much easier than doing it. To step out of the boat... to take it day by day... to let go of the control over the situation that I seek and just let it be... these are the things I need to learn. I am hoping that by writing this, that these words will seep into my mind and find a home, so that I can learn to just walk forward, taking one step at a time, trusting and knowing that God is there, and that He will work it out for the best.
To let go of my dreams and let Him be God over them.
To let go of my worries and let God take care of me.
To let go of my past and let God shape my future.
To let go of my life and let God lead where He wills.
To let go of everything... and let God be in control.
To let go... and let God.
These are all the lessons I am hoping to learn, for it is God who gives, and God who takes away.
Job 1:21 (New International Version, ©2010)
21 and said:
“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
and naked I will depart.
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;
may the name of the LORD be praised.”
May we all learn to let go, and let God. May we all be willing to give up the control that we never had to begin with. May we all be willing to give up our past... our today... and our future... and let God be God over all our days. His plans for us are better than our own, and by trying to take control over them, we may get in the way of them. So just... let go... for He is God.
Jeremiah 29:11 (New International Version, ©2010)
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
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