Week 2
The Art of Letting Go

Imagine being so filled with rest and peace that you have plenty of emotional resource for others as you listen, deeply and unhurried.  Rather than grasping at time, money and  leisure, you open your hands and heart, confident there will always be provision. You fall asleep easily at night, knowing all shall be well.  Is this possible?  Does anyone live like this?   Well yes ... Jesus.

“Learn from me,
for I am gentle and humble in heart
and you will find rest for your souls.”
Matthew 11:29 NIV

Jesus demonstrated restful humility through the allowances he made.  Rather than anxiously taking offense or controlling everyone around him, Jesus chose to allow:

  • others to misunderstand him  (1 Peter 2:23; Isaiah 53:7)

  • people to walk away from him (Mark 10:21-23)

  • storms to swirl around him while he slept (Mark 4:37-40)

  • women to anoint his feet with perfume then dry them with their hair, an awkward position in a room full of religious men (Luke 7:36-50)

  • his close friend to betray him (John 13:21-28)

Jesus “did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage” (Philippians 2:6) but humbly stayed present, even amidst uncomfortable emotions.  As we anticipate entering into a season of listening and learning about racial injustice, we will be helped by this same humility that is able to “let go” of the need to be right, to be appreciated, to be understood.

I first learned the phrase “let go” almost 20 years ago in the midst of a deep depression.  My counselor challenged me to “let go” of the many responsibilities I had taken on and embrace a simple life of quiet and solitude.  This, he explained, would give my shy soul space to finally be heard because clearly, she had been ignored and was weeping.   

Over a period of weeks, I did just that,  letting  go of PTA and classroom volunteering, children’s ministry directing and neighborhood networking. But all this letting-go didn’t seem to be helping and my depression was not lifting.

Each week, frustrated,  I returned to the counselor’s office only to hear the familiar refrain: “You’re still not letting go.”

What?! That didn’t seem very nice! I considered letting him go.

“I am letting go! Just look at my life!” I argued.  But he insisted there was a deeper letting go that I had yet to figure out.

In time I understood what was being asked – the inner “letting go” that leads to a restful soul.

·         letting go of the opinions of others

·         letting go of the need to be loved or liked

·         letting go of the need for security

·         letting go of getting my way

·         letting go of the need to be understood

·         letting go of the need to be heard

·         letting go of all outcomes

As I began to practice the Art of Letting Go, my anxiety and depression began to lift.  My soul was coming to rest as I embraced this path of humility.  I began to experience more of God’s presence and love which, in turn, enabled me to “let go” even more.  In fact, the ability to receive the love of God is directly correlated to my ability to let go, I learned and continue to learn.

Only as we are held securely in Abba’s love, filled with the love that the Holy Spirit pours into our hearts (Romans 5:5) are we are able to tolerate the discomfort that comes with allowing misunderstanding, accusations, and painful truth.

And discomfort we will certainly feel as we learn about racial injustice this fall.  We will need hearts that are filled with the love of God, pillowy-soft and gentle, to listen to the stories and opinions of others. We will need the soft hearts of our Vine brothers and sisters to encourage us along the way. Only with humble hearts will we be able to do the work of repentance.

Are you weary? Heavy burdened? Anxious? Depleted? The invitation is to learn from Jesus how to “let go”, allow, surrender.  In that place of humility see what kind of peace and rest you will experience.