There is a story of a man who was hanging from a tree limb screaming for help, yelling that he couldn’t hang on any longer and that he was going to die. Then someone at the top told him to let go. His response was: “I can’t let go. I will fall to my death.” Then the man at the top told him that he was only three feet from the bottom. Apparently, the man who fell didn’t realize he had not fallen very far; he was stubborn and would not let go, even to the point of exhaustion.
Some people are like that with God. They think that they have to cling to their life as they know it because it is all they know. Is that you? Even though things aren’t going smoothly, you refuse to let go because change is scary.
Do you refuse to change your ways because you’ve “always done it that way?” Maybe you are a person who stays with tradition, or maybe there is a sense of comfort where you are. You think you won’t get hurt if you continue to cling to that branch.
The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way? Proverbs 20:24
What if the solid, level ground is only three feet from where you hang and cling with such a tight grip? Are you afraid to look around to see where you actually are? It takes just two little words: Let go.
Letting go means you are letting God be God. He changes the paths of our lives sometimes so that we can use different spiritual gifts in our lives to bring Him glory. He wants us to depend on Him to lead us in the way He wants us to go, not necessarily in our “I’ve always done it that way” mentality.
But what if the way God is leading is a wonderful path? What if you let go, and the ground is sure and firm beneath you? What if you turn around once you land and see a beautiful path full of blessings?
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should do; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Psalm 32:8
God may let you fall and be there to catch you. He may not let you fall at all. The choice is usually up to you. God’s loving eye is on you. He will show you the way.
So let go. Jesus is there.
From Pam Rehbein, a longtime friend of AllWorship.
Hello.
I have been holding onto something(s) that didn’t really help me get out of my current situation, but I thank you for helping me realize that I only need to let go of the branch and let God take over.
I haven’t been reading your emails, never study God’s word, but I pray that I change all that today and start living a life filled with praises.
Thank you again for this message, I believe and trust it’s my turning point.
Remain blessed as you continue to bring us closer to the throne of grace.
Bless you for this inspirational devotion. I really needed to hear it and it has brightened my day. Being a Christian is sometimes hard but when are supported by other followers of Jesus and they can offer other points of view to uplift your spirit and point you in the right direction.
What a wonderful way to put our need for “letting go, let God”
Thank you!