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| Letting Go |
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I’ve recieved a lot of advice today from people who know and love me on how I should live my life. Don’t you hate it when that happens? Everybody wants to ‘fix’ me. The advice is well intentioned, but there is a perspective that seems lacking, even in the Kingdom.
The think tank surrounding me seems to be watching closely and scratching their heads. “If she’s serving God, why are all these things happening to her?” I have the answer to that question. Sometimes things just happen. Everyone goes through seasons of gain, and seasons of loss. Sometimes what seems like loss is actually great gain.
Look around you. Haven’t the trees let go of their leaves for a season? Do they complain, or do they nestle into winter and patiently wait on the Creator of the Universe to determine the beginning of a new season when he will restore them to their former glory; with gain I might add.
Jesus said this about the seasons of letting go:
19:29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
Any mountain climber who has ascended to the peaks will tell you that at base camp, they left behind every non-essential item in order to scale to higher elevations.
Why would God require that we leave important things behind? Wouldn’t a loving God just grant us material wealth in a material world so we can live happily ever after? Why should we have to loose anything for the sake of the Gospel when he could just give us everything at no cost to ourselves?
The Talmud asks: "Why are the hot spring baths of Tiberias not located in Jerusalem?" Why are the great and tasty fruits of the Ginossar area not grown in Jerusalem?"
The Talmud responds: "So that no one should ascend to Jerusalem for the sweet fruits or for the hot baths. Rather, one ascends to Jerusalem for the sake of Jerusalem itself."
Note to think tank: The things you think I need, I don’t need. I’m sorry that you don’t understand and that I can’t be what each of you want me to be. I’m sorry that you don’t understand the worth of what I’m pursuing, but if you’ll just step away and let me pass, perhaps someday you will.
I’m not asking you to follow, I’m just asking you to watch. I promise you, whatever you see me let go of you will also see returned to me. I didn’t write the book. I’m just living it.
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| To add a comment to "Letting Go " |
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| December 10, 2007 |
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| Wow! Thank you Birdie. I know letting go is a big part of moving on and not staying in a rut. Thank you. God let go of His only Son... how hard can it be for us to let go....to serve Him better. |
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| December 10, 2007 |
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Thanks for your comment Denise. What a great point you made! Seeing what God let go of for us, makes anything we might let go of for him seem pretty insignificant. |
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| December 10, 2007 |
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Great... Ditto! |
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| December 10, 2007 |
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| As long as you are right before God, then do what you think He would want you to do, no matter what others say. We all walk to the beat of a different drum. |
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| December 10, 2007 |
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Birdie;
I can't claim to know what your going through but I'm happy for your focus on the Son. I also know about times when everyone's trying to fix you and I sometimes just wish I could focus on the one thing that will truly make me whole.
For me sometimes it's hard just to let people go thru what they need to go thru. There are times when the best I can do is a blank stair and a hug.
Dave |
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| December 10, 2007 |
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Birdie, I know well what you are talking about! I particularly identify with this line, which has often been my own complaint to God and my husband: Everybody wants to ‘fix’ me. The advice is well intentioned, but there is a perspective that seems lacking, even in the Kingdom. You have voiced concisely the problem, the Biblical context, and the godly answer. Well done, wise friend! May God continue to bless you with clear thinking and patient endurance through your trial. And, like Job, may you not only have what you lost restored but done so with increase. Dave, what you said helps me understand the "think tank's" perspective. (For me sometimes it's hard just to let people go thru what they need to go thru.) I'm going to keep it in mind the next time my patience is tried by others trying to fix me. |
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| December 10, 2007 |
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Rodney--we're keeping you ditto man. :)
Shannon--That point is huge and so often people watching from the outside don't see God at work on the inside of us. Like you said Deb, we're all different and constantly discovering what God is calling us to do. By faith sometimes we make adjustments because we know that's what God is asking of us and it might not make sense to anyone but us.
JayTx--Thanks for your blessings!
Dave-Blank stares and big hugs are good!!!
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| December 11, 2007 |
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| Dr.Thomas-- It will always appear more enticing to partake of the world, but His presence is the fullness of life. I have come to that point where nothing else matters, and it's an exciting place to be. Many of us seem to be going through these trials right now and being faced with hard decisions but as long as we choose Christ's way, we'll be great! Like you said, time will prove it. |
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| December 13, 2007 |
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Birdie-
It is awesome to see people let go of good for the best. I have had to let go of mother and fathers fo the Kingdom. When our eyes are fixed on His eyes, He just leads us closer and everything is put into it's proper perspective. Who shall ascend the holy hill? What an adventure when we lose our life in Him. |
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| December 13, 2007 |
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| Jeff--Yes indeed, it is a great adventure! And well worth what ever you may leave behind. Especially when it comes to people...I think we have to trust the Word that guarantees that our entire household IS saved, even though we may not hear it or see. His word is true and forever settled in Heaven. |
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| December 19, 2007 |
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Oh Birdie, Ouch, Ouch, Ouch!
I work so hard to NOT be the think tank in peoples lives, but I still find myself thinking the thoughts! As a Dad, it's hard to love your kids, let them make their own mistakes, and then encourage them when they stumble a bit. I probably have to fine tune that thought with friends and family also.
Great blog with wise thoughts, now where do I stow my "think tank" membership! |
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| December 19, 2007 |
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Awww, Dennis don't stow that 'think tank' membership just yet. Just be the one guy in the tank that that says "Ya know...God endorses that decision with His word. Go for it."
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