We hold on to expectations with a tight grip. We declare and sing and chant that our faith will see the miraculous, that God will come through, that what we expect will happen. ‘Lord, I come with great expectations of your power and might…” we pray.
But he doesn’t. Most of the time the unexpected happens. And when it does, we have to let go of what we thought was going to happen and accept what is.
Don’t mistake this for giving up. It’s not. It’s a very powerful thing to come to terms with what is happening in your life. Too many people go through their days ignoring the deeper issues, stuck in a cycle of negativity or hopelessness.
What do we let go of when we “let go”?
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There is nothing to prove and no one to prove it too. You are loved.
For me, letting go has meant to cease the endless pursuit of my worth and value in things and achievements and reputation, and rest in who I am and the fact that I am enough.
Let go. Be still. Breathe.
I think that’s at the heart of Jesus words:
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (Matt 11:28-30 MSG).
Letting go is how we take responsibility. It’s the beginning of faith.
When we release people from our expectations, we can see them for who they really are. When we release ourselves from the expectations of others (and often ourselves, too), we can make peace with who we really are. When we release situations and circumstances from our expectations, we can see what’s really going on.
And that my friends, allows us to take responsibility and to move forward in faith.
“WE FIND BY LOSING. We hold fast by letting go. We become something new by ceasing to be something old. This seems to be close to the heart of that mystery. I know no more now than I ever did about the far side of death as the last letting-go of all, but I begin to know that I do not need to know and that I do not need to be afraid of not knowing.” – Frederick Buechner, “A Room Called Remember.”
Written by Liz Milani
Oh can I get an Amen! I'm not the hallelujah type but u just walked out of a Pretty.Crazy.Week.
Let go. Jo went in to hospital but is safe and home and it's her illness so I will just..let go.
A family relative turned up on my brothers doorstep – the house I'm minding – they were supposed to be in Bali but now they are here – on a honeymoon- let go.
And all the surface stuff I'm sensitive to I'm just letting it flow now but that flow took effort and didn't acknowledge my pain..
Now I'm packing up bags walking a dog and leaving for home And I will just. Let. Go.