Letting Go is Hard to Do

"Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” - Luke 18:15-17

What does it mean to be in control? Is it if someone has all their debts paid off and has a healthy savings account? Are they financially "in control"? If someone always keeps the house spotless and dresses nice, does that make them "in control"?

Often we think we have everything under control when circumstances fall in our favor. You know: All the bills are paid on time, the car is running good, no family members are sick, and your boss likes you. Things are going good, so everything is under control.

But what about when things are not so good. Your boss doesn't like you, your parents are in the nursing home constantly sick, the belt on the car is about to break again, but you are still driving it around because you don't have the money to get it fixed. Yikes! Life is spinning out of control!

We all want to think ourselves capable, but how important is it to God if we are capable? How does God feel about beggars? Well, its pretty easy to judge them as "do nothings", but God freely accepted Lazarus the beggar when he died. He was loved by God as a beggar just as much as when he was resting in Abraham's bosom.

To be honest, I think we all have trouble contemplating total submission to God. We work to provide for our families - don't we? We are strong and healthy, probably because we are eating oh so right - aren't we? We stay busy with work, church, organizations, hobbies, and our kids activities, so we're productive - right? What could we possibly do to earn God's favor? The answer is nothing!

A child knows how to enjoy life and not worry about the fine details about how things happen. Just like children, we need to accept God's free gift for what it is - Free. Also children believe what they hear, and their belief is unshakable because they trust adults as caregivers. Those who trust in Christ's forgiveness are new creations and adopted children of the Living God. We have to face the fact that He is our provider and we are not. We really don't have anything to offer God. But He wants us to let go of thinking that we are in control. He wants us to trust Him. You may have a good paying job right now, but if you lose it will you worry because you are no longer in control? If you lose your house or your car, does that make you a bad person? No, but if you think it's all up to you, then you'll be down on yourself.

There is nothing we can do to earn God's favor. God just wants us to trust Him in the big things and in the little things. He wants us to then be amazed at what He does and to praise Him for it.


--Johnie