Learning to Let Go: Part III

Letting go appears to be a journey that moves us away from our destination rather than drawing us closer. It looks like the areas in our life where we are lost and seeking to be found. Letting go carries us on a path that keeps us here instead of showing us “there.” It is saying “goodbye” when all we want to do is say “hello.” If we examine letting go closely, the mere idea looks nothing like drawing near.

But God…

God takes what we know about letting go and turns it into His truth. His truth teaches us over and over that the challenges that tear us down need not pull us away. God’s word promises redemption in our brokenness and leads us to new life. He shows us how His love is never ending and promises this generous gift for us. God seeks to bring us closer in relationship with Him even we we pull away due to our messy choices.

God is a forever God who desires nothing more than drawing us near through heart and soul connections.

John 15 tells the beautiful story of the vine and the branches. Our Father is the Master Gardener who lovingly tends His garden (people) to insure they keep bearing fruit. Sometimes the pruning hurts, but it is this process that makes us better. God makes space for us to continually draw closer to Him. In the drawing near, we enter into a union with God. Letting go makes room for God to draw close in communion with us.

We learn in John 15 the lesson of drawing near and the promise of this truth. It says…

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” (John 15:5-8)

When letting go feels like a withering branch, God pulls us close and tenderly prunes us with His love. If pulling away becomes our go to reaction, we lose the nourishment that the Master Gardener offers. The times that tug on us and draw us away are the times that God is working harder to draw us close.

When letting go is pulling us farther away, God is working harder to draw us close.

As I wrap up this series on letting go, God continues to teach me and clarify my understanding in this season. As much as God is teaching me through this process, I know that letting go infuses this journey we call life. It is part of our everyday and God’s way of pruning the withering parts of our soul as well as fertilizing the pieces of our heart that are broken.

I am praying for all of you today as you travel through the different seasons of your life. May you feel God’s embrace in the times of letting go and know that He promises to draw near to you as you draw near to Him. Let God’s peace fill the empty spaces created when letting go feels like loss. May you feel strength, power, wisdom and contentment in the process of making room for God to cherish and love you. He promises us in James 4 to draw near. May you draw near to God and let Him guide you through the rest.

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. (James 4:8)

Thank you for joining me on this journey of understanding what it means to let go. You all are a treasure to me. Your faithfulness and willingness to share your own journeys makes my day. Letting go is a lifelong journey with no perfect path, but one perfect God.