Let Go

In the movie, "Facing the Giants," there is a song called Completely. The very first line of this song says, "The Secret of life is letting go."
I've been thinking alot about that phrase the last few days.
It has come to my attention yet again that there are many things in life that we must let go of. The things that we must let go of vary from person to person. We have to let go of things, old friends, old relationships. We have to let go of the past. We can never fully embrace today until we let go of yesterday. When we cling to yesterday we are only hurting our capacity to live for today and build for tomorrow. Often, our refusal to let go of something can cripple us. We become so consumed with something that neglect our responsibilities in the present. We must remember that wherever we go, we have relational responsibilities, work related responsibilities, and ultimately each of us has a responsibility to be intimately walking with God. Often though, other things get in the way. We refuse to let go of something, and it in turn hinders, damages, or even destroys our relationship with God. The more that I have thought about this the more vital I realize that letting go really is!

After I had thought about this a little bit more, I sort of summarized with 2 things.
First, letting go of something typically means letting go of something lesser to embrace something bigger and better and newer. It's hard for us to let go of things because we like things the way they are, we don't like change. We don't like change because it brings an unknown element. If I let go of "WHATEVER" it may never get replaced with something better. This fear, while very understandable, is very unfounded. God always provides us with more than enough, and if He asks us to let go of something, who are we to say no?
Second, at it's core, the refusal to let go is steeped in pride. Whenever we say we refuse to let go of something God wants us to, we are saying that we know better. Not letting go of our desires is selfish, it is pride.
So often I pursue things completely because I want to. Often, my thoughts and actions are motivated only because of what I WANT, not what God says or desires.
We must let go of our own desires and live as God wants us to live.
Romans says, "Be not conformed to the pattern of this world."
The pattern of our culture is self-centerdness and selfishness. As Christians, we must not be conformed to this pattern. We must life selflessly and humbly. We must, if we have any chance of showing this world that we are any different.


"Narrow is the road that leads to life, and few find it.
Anybody can kick it wide left or wide right, but that's not gonna get you home. The ball has got to go through the middle. You must choose the narrow way."