Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
-Ephesians 3:13-14
Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
-Luke 9:62
Lately I’ve been reflecting on a particular flaw in my character that the Lord has exposed–an issue that I can see repeatedly when I look back at my life. I could summarize it this way:
1. At times I’ve tried to hold on to that which wasn’t meant for me.
2. I’ve caused myself considerable grief by doing so.
Put another way, I’ve had to learn how to let go.
I’ve learned to let go of the past. Letting go of guilt certainly applies. But I’m thinking more in terms of seasons of life that I enjoyed immensely. I’ve had a tendency to try to prolong or even recreate these. But life just doesn’t work that way: seasons come and go, and God has a purpose for each one (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8).
I don’t want to miss the blessings of this moment or the future by trying to re-live yesterday.
I’ve learned to let go of people. There are relationships of all sorts that simply failed the test of loyalty or time. There are mentors and friends that God graciously sent my way, each according to what I needed, before moving on. There are loved ones I’ll never see again this side of eternity. These are just a few examples that come to mind.
I can be thankful for the lessons learned. I can cherish the memories. I can grieve.
But I can’t hang on.
I’ve learned to let go of rejection. Not every opportunity I pursue is meant for me. I learned this most recently (and painfully) during our first three years here in the States after returning from the mission field (2013-2016). I remember those times when I second-guessed myself or even the Lord because His only answer came in the form of closed doors.
I want to have a heart like Moses, who desired to go only where the Lord was leading. He loved the presence of God more than the promised land (Exodus 33:15).
I’ve had to learn how to let go.
Granted, there are times when God’s will isn’t so clear–times when we need to ask, seek, and knock until know the next step (Matthew 7:7). We can trust God to show us His will in His perfect time (Proverbs 3:5-6).
But that’s not what I’m talking about here.
There are times when God clearly shows us that whatever (or whoever) we are clinging to is not from Him. His blessing isn’t in it, and nothing we do, no argument we present, will ever change His mind.
These are the times when it’s best to let go.
Letting go may be temporarily painful, but disobedience always hurts more in the long run.
Letting go gives you the freedom to fully pursue God’s best for you–whatever that may mean.
We can let go with the confidence that God knows best. He has a plan for His glory and our joy.
