Letting Go
Happy New Year! Sorry I have been absent for a few months, but I am hopeful 2015 affords me the opportunity to share with you more consistently. I am grateful to God for this year and the continued desire and energy to serve and praise Him. Hallelujah!
Initially, when I pondered this particular topic, I was focused on encouraging everyone to start this year by letting go. Release your fears as the center of your thoughts and actions; focus on the Lord instead. Rebuke those thoughts that rob you of your peace and presence in the Lord. Dispel the hurts that plague your behavior and prevent you from moving forward; pray for healing. Disconnect from habits and relationships that drain you of your energy to serve the Lord.
Asking for His grace and strength to successfully leave these spirit grabbers behind is indeed a wonderful way to launch the year and I do encourage everyone to seek His renewal wholeheartedly. However, the concept of "letting go" was expanded for me this week and the inspiration helped elevate my awareness to how frequently I stray from the Lord.
The concept is pretty basic and yet so cogent that it once again leaves me in awe of our Master and His desire to continue to help us grow. Essentially, when we put aside what we know is of God, we are letting go. For instance, entertaining gossip in any form is a consequence of letting Him go. Finding pleasure in the discomfort of others even if we think they deserve it, we let Him go. Yelling at the customer service representative because our bill isn't right or the cable isn't working, He was let go. Choosing not to read scripture or pray for a while because He knows how little free time I have' and He knows my heart', we let Him go. Participating in sexual relationships outside of the bond of marriage because of the world's comfort with it, we are letting Him go. Expressing choice words or gestures to other drivers who obstruct our path on the road, He has been let go. Letting a disagreement ruin a valued relationship or stop your church/community involvement, we let Him go.
Simple, isn't it? When you look at the desires of your heart and your usual actions and reactions, have you been letting go? Sure you have. We all do. My challenge for you is to start consciously clinging to Him. I envision myself trying to wrap tightly around His leg, like a child who doesn't want their parent to leave. Funny thing is I don't have to do that because He is faithful; He never leaves. It's time for renewal of our allegiance to God, ladies. We can't just be all in when it is convenient or we are in need (or in want). Thankfully, that isn't how He operates. His hands are always extended. It's our turn to grab hold and never let Him go.
