The Art of Letting Go

CORE-RELATE!

Let Go (feb2K4): being dumped by your bf of 5 years on account of his "let-me-be-the-one-to-break-it-up-so-you-won't-have-to-make-excuses..." pride.

Let Go (mar2K4): falling in love with a guy who's not actually married and is not really "living in" but -- when you went out with him -- has a kid (and now has 2, by the same woman)... Ok, so he was there for you when you were down, his horns cushioned your fall when your wings failed to carry you (pun intended)... but, but, but!

Let Go (mar2K5): your father dies of cancer when you've just been starting to "accept" the fact that he'll go anytime. Silver lining: he surrendered his ever-critical, stubborn self to Christ a few days before his demise, so that makes you his living witness (even if you weren't there when he breathed his last...)

Let Go (may2K6): how many times do you have to tell yourself that he isn't just the one for you? Ok, so he was with you on your birthday... but, but, but! There is somebody better. You know you deserve better. So stop being stubborn. Make a promise to Him and Him alone. You're His girl and He won't just give you away to somebody who's less-deserving. True love waits, works, waits, works and waits some more!

Let Go (aug2K6): your request for vacation leave for what could have been your first-ever mountaineering activity is disapproved. The training is until November but by September you have to go "on full" every morning with your ministry. You cannot serve two masters. Choose. Your way or His?

Everytime you had to let go, what did you learn? "Parting is such sweet sorrow." There is no joy without sorrow, no silver lining without a rain cloud, no rainbow-always-after-the-rain. Come to think of it. You can't always see the rainbow after the rain but in another part of the world, at exactly the same time, somebody can see one. It's all a matter of perspective. Cry a little or wail your heart out... what matters, above all, is you've learned the greatest lesson that you have to know:

"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but in the end, it's the Lord's purpose that prevails." (Proverbs 19:21).

Clearly, you know in your heart what you are being called to do. And you cannot deny the fact that you've been delaying your reply for much too long now.

"Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins." (James 4:17).

It's OK to cry for now. Soon you'll be wiping away those tears, smiling to yourself and saying, "I will obey because I know Yours is always the better Plan." Who knows, mountaineering may just be in His IT for you in the future.