Let Go.

You might not like what I have to say this morning, the last Saturday of the year, but it is something I would tell you sitting at home, school, and even church. Tearfully, I ask what it is going to take for you to feel better, to have joy again. It is what I would tell you if you told me your storm has you feeling worse and there was no hope. I know it won’t be easy, but you need to let it go, like the year 2011 will no longer be a calendar option, get ready for 2012.

The truth is, eventually, we have to let go of everything in this life. life is a constant barrage of having things and people you love ripped away from you. Everything ripping away takes a piece of you with it, leaving you raw and stinging with pain. But when you recognize that everything you have and everyone you love is on loan to you from God, when you learn to hold loosely to the things and people you love, you can then embrace the freedom that comes with entrusting everything to His care.

When you love something or someone, the process of letting go is painful one that takes time, and it need not be rushed. Nor should it be avoided altogether. You feel pain, mourn the loss, she your tears, and with time you can begin to let go of the grief that has had such a hold on you. Perhaps it’s not so much that you let go of your grief, but more that you give your grief permission to lessen its grip on you. You have to realize at some point that you have to figure out how to keep on living, how to incorporate the loss into your life.

Start letting go by taking another look at those around you with the perspective of grace. What a relief it will be to let go of your heavy expectations of others and instead appreciate every gentle touch, every shared tear, and every knowing smile as sheer gifts of grace. What a relief to follow the example of Jesus and instead of placing blame , offer forgiveness.

“Forsaken Lord, you understand what it feels like to be deserted by those you thought would be there for you in your darkest hour. Give us Your spirit of forgiveness and Your spirit of Grace to help us let go of our disappointment in people who’ve failed us or forgotten us”.

Focus on this Scripture; “I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus is calling us up to heaven” (Philippians 3:13-14) 1. Let go of your grief. 2. Let go of your expectations of others. 3. Let go of your rights. 4. Let go of it all. With God all things are possible and have a renewed mind in 2012. By letting go of the past and trusting God and know He has your future in His hands. When Jesus was on the Cross, He let go and showed how you can to. Amen. JC