Letting Go and Being Free
My devotional this morning was all about letting go of the things that hold us back, the things that are causing us trouble and keeping us from reaching God.
The author gives an example of a person holding onto a sinking ship instead of letting go and walking on the water to Jesus. Sort of like Peter when he began to sink in the raging sea while trying to reach the Lord (Matthew 14:22-33).
"So often, I find myself riding out the storm, clinging to the boat, when the truth is that Jesus is just an arm’s length away. He’s unperturbed by the waves, unshaken by the currents, waiting to help me conquer the storm, if only I’ll focus my eyes on Him instead of the ocean."
I've spent some time this morning thinking about the sinking boats and raging seas in my life right now. I have quite a few. I have fears about the work that the Lord is calling me to do. I doubt the person he is calling me to be. I have worries about where I am in my marriage.
I realize that these fears, doubts and worries are all sinking ships and raging seas. I am focusing on these fears and doubts rather than on the Lord who is reaching out for me. I am holding on to these worries rather than letting go and trusting God with my life.
In reality though, these things that I am refusing to let go of are taking me under. They are the things that I should be fearful of.
Then why is it so hard to truly let go of them?
Robert's devotional this morning talked about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and the fiery furnace (Daniel 3:14-27). The author points something out from this story that I have never noticed before.
"God was right there, taking the heat with them. The only thing they lost by turning their will and their lives over to him was the ropes that had bound them. Those were burned up in the flames. When we're challenged because of our decision to turn our lives over to God, we can expect God to be there for us, too. Nothing can bind us when God wants us to be free."
WOW! Turning our lives over to God and truly following him brings complete freedom. These fears, doubts and worries that I have are causing me to sink. They have me bound. But when I face the storm or the fire, I can know that God is here to see me safely through. He is here to set me free.
The only things I have to lose are these sinking ships and binding ropes!
So here is to letting go of the sinking ship of fear. To be released from the ropes of doubt and worry. Here is to walking in freedom even if that means walking through the storm and the fire!
Amanda
Amazing...I've battled some "ropes of fear" this week. Wrestled with God through them...at the end...I realized His love for me outweighs any earthly fear or suffering. Theme for my year: I. Am. His.
Loving you across the miles...simply, transparently beautiful as always...
A~
July 5, 2011 at 11:49 AM
