FAITH IS LETTING GO

I’m good at hanging on ... to the wrong things things ... the things I think I can control, the toxic relationships, enemy lies, voices of defeat, fear and angst. My clingy sin.I’m good at holding onto grudges, doubt and insecurity. I clench down on what feels vulnerable, fragile and much too precious to release.The thing is, I don’t really want to let go because I trust myself more than God.And I love myself more than God.Ultimately, I fight to hold onto the things that in actuality, have ahold of me.

"And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6

This verse hits me like a ton of bricks. Of all the things we think we need to be close to God, to please God, it starts with faith. Plain and yet not so simple.You see, I want to deserve grace.Faith depends completely on God. Faith believes that He exists, that He is near and that He loves us enough to catch us when we let go.Faith trusts that His way is life. Not just for eternity, but abundant life even now, even without the things we think we need to make us happy. Our sins...they don’t liberate us, they enslave us.Faith releases control and comfort, believing that Jesus is better than all the other things we grip so tightly to for satisfaction and security.There is only one thing we should anchor to. Only one thing that won’t eventually let us down. And it’s not ourselves, our stuff or even our people.It’s Jesus.And He is found in the release, the surrender.He beckons us to let go. He assures us.He captivates us. But often, because of our stubbornness and His gracious love, He forces our death grip to open.Faith sets us free.He wants us ready and able to depend on Him. He can’t reward us with His presence until we let go of everything else that is blocking it.Listen, I get it. It’s scary to jump. It feels safer to cling and control. But if we were made to seek, know and love God through FAITH, then the most freeing thing we can do is to let go of everything else that stands in the way.Let’s take that leap of faith. You with me?