Let Go
Photo by Paul Pastourmatzis on Unsplash
Letting go of expectations for what life would be, as well as what life has been, can be a challenging prospect. We want our comforts, our sense of control.
Jesus instructed the disciples to go out into pairs to tell people about the Kingdom of God. He told them to bring nothing - not even a change of clothes. (See Matthew 10:10 TPT) He showed them how to trust God to guide and care for them along their journeys. This instruction must have been quite the exercise in trust. This was before Jesus went to Heaven and gave them the Holy Spirit. Now, people who follow Him have the Holy Spirit in us, leading and guiding us. As we listen to Him, we can know what steps to take, phone calls to make, text messages to send, people to pray for and with, and so on. Every step of the way, we can follow His instruction, His lead. And if the disciples obeyed Jesus in going out into the unknown on His word, then we can do the same.
The need for letting go is not exclusive to any one type of person or life experience. It's for everybody. We grow up in this life with certain expectations formed for what life is supposed to look like. Often, that's different from what we find ourselves living out. It can be difficult to relinquish the notions we have created to then be open to the good that's right in front of us.
Personally, I had this idea when I was young that I would be happily married, living in another beautiful country, raising children, and flourishing in a community. I would have achieved a status in life where I didn't need to think about money and could have the freedom and flexibility to do whatever I wanted with my time. I would have visited multiple countries and purchased many homes in different places, not only for me but also for my family and loved ones.
This has not been my life.
Here I am, reaching a new season, a new decade in life. All of these ideals are unmet. I'm living a version of life I never saw coming. I'm coming into becoming a 40-year-old woman who has no children, is a widow, and is facing paying off a mountain of debt. This actual life experience is clearly "other than" what I expected.
I'm presented with a choice. I can cherish what I've had and whom I've had - my beloved late husband. I can let go of what I've experienced and expected. I can still be open to an unknown future. Like the disciples' experiences recorded in scripture, I can face hardship, unexpected trials, and difficulties, knowing God is with me through it all. (James 1:2-4 TPT) He has been with me through it all (Matthew 28:20 TPT). I can trust God will tell me what I need when I need it (John 16:13).
I can safely and confidently release the past.
I can safely and confidently let go of what I think will be in my future.
I can safely and confidently have open hands to receive what is in front of me right now.
"Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him." - Psalm 91:1-2 NLT
Let's let Him be our safe place in our past, our expectations, our future, and our present.