Mid-Week Message - Letting Go

Winter is officially over and spring has arrived.  Already we have seen wildflowers blooming and are seeing new leaves on the trees.  There are eggs in a bird nest built over my front porch and mommy bird is faithfully sitting on them to keep them warm.  New life is everywhere.  It is exciting and fresh.

What if we refused to acknowledge spring and tried to hold on to the winter?  We could keep wearing our jackets and turning up the heater or starting a fire in the fireplace.  We could drink hot chocolate and use the electric blanket at night.  Sweaters could continue to be our daily wardrobe and fluffy warm socks could continue to snuggle our feet.  Yes, we could keep acting as if winter was still present, but our actions would not, could not, make it so.

Life comes with changes.  I don't know about you but personally change isn't something that I look forward to.  I like the sameness of every day.  I enjoy knowing what happens at what time and how I need to prepare for it daily.  I am one who would try to hold on to winter.  However, we serve a loving Father who seemingly likes to shake things up every once in awhile.  He allows storms to come into our lives that will cause us to move out of our comfort place.

Our family has been going through one of these storms.  It has jolted us severely and is bringing about changes that we could not have anticipated and really do not desire.  One of the ramifications of this storm is that we need to make a physical change to our address.  Yes, move.  So we are packing.  And as we do so, we are deciding which items we can do without.  Each of us is choosing to give up items that we rarely use and items that were cherished gifts, and as we do, we are learning how much of our energy has been spent on material possessions that truly serve no real purpose.

What is most important in life?  Is it the diamond ring or the person who gave it out of love?  Is it the teddy bear from childhood or the memories of happy times with family?  Is it that book that's been reread so many times that it is falling apart or the joy and life lessons it brought?  What do we need to hang on to and what do we need to let go?

Scripture addresses this in a passage we all know well:

 Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV)

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy; and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal; For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control, otherwise known as the fruits of the Spirit, are the treasures that are eternal.  They cannot be lost, stolen or broken.  We can give them away but not without getting even more in return.  They come directly from the Lord's hand and are greater than any gift that can ever be given.

So, how do we let go of those things which hinder us in our daily life?  First, see them as what they are - pieces of wood, metal, plastic or cloth that will eventually fall apart or rot.  Second, consider the time and effort that has been devoted to them.  Third, remember that one day we will leave this temporal world and we will not be able to take those things with us.  Fourth, what do we want to be remembered for?  Do we want everyone to remember us for some item that we bought and displayed in our home, or even the fancy house we live in?  Or do we want to be remembered for what type of person we were? Letting go becomes much easier when we are able to be honest about what we are clinging to and choose to cling to someone rather than something.