Recently, Cheryl and I were invited to speak to a young adult Sunday school class. Since I had already spoken to the group several times, I was wondering what else I could say. During the week before, I was out for a walk. I don't remember if I was praying or just wondering, but in a flash this thought illumined my mind: "Tell them concerning their future plans, you can do it My way, and you let go; or you can do it your way and I will let go." That was it. I shared it with the class; there were a few words of discussion and the class ended.
In the days that followed, I could not help but wonder what exactly does this mean? How does it apply to us in a practical sense? This is what I concluded. The first part, "do it My way and you let go"....that is easy to understand. It is a reference to those who are willing to let go of their plans, resources, of everything that brings security, and trust God completely. These are the ordinary people who continue to do extraordinary things.
Then there is the second part, where we do it our way and He lets go. I do not think it means that if we hold on to the right to control our own lives that God will abandon or reject us. The Bible says He will never do that. Nor do I think it means we won't go to heaven when we die. I think it does mean that if we continue to insist upon controlling our own life, having our own goals, our own plan of action, He will at some point take a step back--not so far He cannot help in time of need, but far enough to let us do it in our own strength. These are the ordinary people who will continue to do ordinary things.
Some Believers would say there is nothing wrong in living an ordinary life; that we are free to choose. This is not exactly true. We cannot ignore the fact there are scoffers, scorners, and honest skeptics watching our lives from a distance. They have heard our claims and now they are examining the evidence. The Kingdom of God is hindered when those people observe that many Christians who are consumed doing things which an unbeliever could do.
The Apostle Peter said, "Live such good lives among the pagans that...they may see your good deeds and glorify God..." Jesus said, "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven." An ordinary person who lets go and lets God is a powerful witness.
In the days that followed, I could not help but wonder what exactly does this mean? How does it apply to us in a practical sense? This is what I concluded. The first part, "do it My way and you let go"....that is easy to understand. It is a reference to those who are willing to let go of their plans, resources, of everything that brings security, and trust God completely. These are the ordinary people who continue to do extraordinary things.
Then there is the second part, where we do it our way and He lets go. I do not think it means that if we hold on to the right to control our own lives that God will abandon or reject us. The Bible says He will never do that. Nor do I think it means we won't go to heaven when we die. I think it does mean that if we continue to insist upon controlling our own life, having our own goals, our own plan of action, He will at some point take a step back--not so far He cannot help in time of need, but far enough to let us do it in our own strength. These are the ordinary people who will continue to do ordinary things.
Some Believers would say there is nothing wrong in living an ordinary life; that we are free to choose. This is not exactly true. We cannot ignore the fact there are scoffers, scorners, and honest skeptics watching our lives from a distance. They have heard our claims and now they are examining the evidence. The Kingdom of God is hindered when those people observe that many Christians who are consumed doing things which an unbeliever could do.
The Apostle Peter said, "Live such good lives among the pagans that...they may see your good deeds and glorify God..." Jesus said, "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven." An ordinary person who lets go and lets God is a powerful witness.