letting go at "44"…

letting go at "44"…

“And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.” (1 Thessalonians 2:13)


My boy turned twenty-one this past weekend. I turned forty-four. Together we celebrated our milestones at my parents’ house on Saturday. Mom made sure we each had our own cake (only a mother would do this), and dad made sure we had steak (only a dad would go to some out-of-the-way butcher and pay $85 for the filets we enjoyed).

The food was tasty, and the fellowship was rich. I come from good roots, friends, and I am mindful and grateful for the privilege of what it means to have grown up in a household that promotes generosity and faith, all in the same setting… not just on birthdays but, consistently, on every occasion over the past forty-four years. What a joy it is for me to be surrounded by those who know me the best and love me still—those who birthed me, those whom I’ve birthed, and those who’ve married into the crazy lot of us. It was a good memory and one that has me thinking, yet again, about the one, consistent theme that has followed me all the days of my life.

Letting go.

A hard portion of Christian obedience, yet perhaps, the greatest “tool” our Father uses to shape us more perfectly into his consecrated people. “Letting go” comes in all shapes and sizes. Letting go of…

Children.
Parents.
Friendships.
Careers.
Dreams.
Money.
Time.
Childhood.
Carefully planned agendas.
Distractions.
Addictions.
Selfishness.
Consistency.
Routine.
Ministries.
Concerns.
Expectations.
Regrets.
Anger.
Unforgiveness.
Life.
_______________.

Regardless of the object behind the fierce and determined “holdings” of our hearts, it’s only in the letting go of those objects that we begin to fully participate in the life of faith to which God has called each one of us. By nature, we clothe ourselves with the outward manifestations of an inward pulse. What beats on the interior, wears openly and outloud on our exteriors. And while not all outward attachments are inherently detrimental to our faith’s progression, a tight-fisted grip on them can be. When what we’re holding becomes more important to us than the One we’re holding, then a readjustment of perspective is often needed.

God is faithful to bring that readjustment; we, however, are not always faithful to submit our hearts for his evaluation. Rather than releasing our grip on worldly attachments, we cling tightly to them in hopes of managing and manipulating them for a season longer. Sometimes we are successful in doing so, but rarely does it last and most always is it to our disadvantage. When we refuse relinquishment of our “stuff” (whether people or things), our clutching often becomes the stumbling block that prevents us from moving forward with Jesus and his plan for our futures.

Paul understood this. His heart was primarily tethered to his calling in Jesus Christ, but secondarily to those who stood on the receiving end of God’s truth. The church at Thessalonica represented one such group. His time with them was brief, thus prompting his later concern regarding their “continuing in the faith” and not succumbing to the persecution and false teachings that were circulating in their midst. He felt, perhaps, that they could have benefited from further discipleship under his tutelage. I understand. How many times have I longed for further mentoring from a beloved teacher or have thought that, perhaps, those sitting under my mentoring might benefit from our spending more time together? It’s a valid concern, but even more valid and potent is the truth that came to the Thessalonians while in the presence of Paul.

That truth cannot be contained within dates on a calendar or parametered within the context of a mentoring relationship. God’s truth is timeless and is too big for confinement. Once it is released, it exponentially manifests its worth into the lives of all who come in contact with its witness. His truth is stronger than our concerns regarding its diminishment and tightly anchors itself within the soil of a receiving heart. Paul planted those seeds in Thessalonica; God was faithful to water and to grow them—a truth later verified by Timothy after his visit to the church there:

“But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you. Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 3:6-8).

Paul experienced “real living” because the faith of the Thessalonians was standing firm, was active and breathing and increasing daily despite his absence. Paul worried about his “letting go” on the front end of his ministry. The churches he had planted were his joy and crown, his children and his delight. It was hard to release them to “go it alone” without his watchful guidance and care, but hearing about their growing in the faith buoyed his flesh for the price that would be paid for their knowledge—his personal persecution. For Paul, it was a fair exchange—their faith for his flesh. It was a calling he willingly chose, lovingly fulfilled, and dutifully wrote about so that we could have a better picture of what it means to “let go and let God.”

I don’t know what you need to “let go” of in this season of living. I know that God is calling me to “let go” of a few things I’ve been clinging to—stuff that is keeping me too closely connected to this earth. I know that I cannot walk completely free from my worldly attachments. God has given me many of them for my benefit. But I can walk free from their hold on me, from their being too important to me. None of them (not one person or one thing) is more important to me than the hold that I currently have on the hem of Christ’s garment. When anything or anyone starts to pull me away from those threads, then I pray for a holy readjustment of my heart. Why?

Because those threads are the ones that will pull me home. I’d rather get there with “nothing” then to arrive there with everything only to be turned away from my kingdom inheritance because my earthly vision was short-sighted and temporarily focused. Yes, I turned forty-four this past weekend. My son is twenty-one, and my parents? Well, they are on the backside of the journey home. The passage of time is evident to all of us. We cannot stop the hands on the clock, and while I love every minute of my life with them here, I’m keenly aware that our “here” is just a foretaste of what awaits for us “there.” “There” is where I want my thoughts and heart to anchor because there is where I will spend forever.

Thus, a letting go. Indeed, a hard portion of the Christian obedience, but in the end, the very best obedience any one of us can yield to the process of our completed consecration. May we all take the time this week to examine the holding of our hands and hearts and then, further, to be willing to lay something/someone down in order to take hold of more of the truth that is ours in Jesus Christ.

Hold loosely the things of this earth, friends; hold tightly to things of heaven; stay focused until the end. And as you go and along the way, may Jesus Christ always and forever be your…

Peace for the journey,

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PS: Leah @ the Point is hosting her pay-it-forward giveaway. Please take time to visit her and enter your name for an opportunity to win some fabulous prizes!

Copyright © April 2010 – Elaine Olsen

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22 Responses to letting go at "44"…

  1. Happy Birthday, Elaine!!

    Letting go…..isn't it interesting how we try to hold on so desperately to things, stuff. If only we would see with heavenly eyes, we would see that what God has for us in exchange for letting go is far better than that to which we are holding.

    God bless you and thanks for stopping by at The Point.

    Leah

  2. I know there are things I am holding on to that I should let go of. And things that I have let go of that I should be holding on to! Life is such a paradox for me it seems!

    Loved the pictures of your weekend with your parents and other family! I guess I'm pretty envious. I don't often have things like that happen.

    Love you much my friend!

    Marilyn…in Mississippi

  3. A very powerful post. Thank You Father God for using Elaine to spread Your message.

  4. Woot Woot…Happy Birthday!

    Learning to let go right along with you Elaine.

    I am a bonofide type A-control freak-extraordinairre.

    Feeling sorry for the work the Lord still has to do in me?

    What a time it has been.

    Love you girl! xoxo

  5. Happy birthday, Elaine! And to your boy! Twenty-one? Wow! May you throw off all that entangles and run with perseverance the race marked out for you, fixing your eyes on Jesus, the only Treasure worth having and holding!

  6. As a girl who is longing and desiring to step out in faith…letting go of fear of failure is so in tune with what you wrote…thanks for the confirmation from my Jesus through this post! Oh and friend…you don't look 'mature' enough to have a 21 year old!!! 🙂

  7. Beautiful post. I can think of a million things that I need to let go of.

    Happy Birthday, friend. Hope it was full of rich blessings.

  8. Lovely pictures. Families gathering are so special, something to be cherished.

    A great post!

    love ad hugs~Tammy

  9. I know I have a couple things I need to "let go" of. I know a couple of people who have not been able to let go of so many things–grief and loss, family issues, etc, and it has made them self-centered and negative and they totally cannot enjoy life, as it should be–lived to the fullest. I think it is so very sad. Once again, thanks for your insights.

  10. Happy Birthday, dear one!

    So true, letting go is key to finding life. It doesn't make sense, but if only we would let go of trying to make it make sense!!

    Sweet thoughts of you today…

  11. Happy Birthday to you and your son! What a spread! I understand what a man will pay for his steaks.
    As to letting go, I see that happening in this season of my life also. The Lord knows the things I tend to grip. Praying we open our hands to Him. Happy B-Day again. Lord, may Elaine walk freely in the love you pour on her every day. Let her joy be great! Thank you for her gifts Lord. She inspires us to be soft clay in your hands. In your name Jesus I ask these things Amen

  12. Happy birthday Elaine and Nick! I pray that you both had fabulous birthdays and ate lots of cake!

    My daughter Melissa will be 24 tomorrow, so I am headed to Baton Rouge in the morning to spend the day and then head back home in the evening. (420 mile round trip!) I have to be home for my oldest daughter Megan's 25th birthday on Wednesday!

    Love to you – Beth

  13. Birthday blessings to you both…

    Letting go of stuff…while grabbing tighter to…Him….

  14. Like you, we can so relate to Paul's feelings for the church at Thessalonica. I'm not a good 'leaver' (although I should be much better considering the amount of practice I've had!); the leaving is all the harder when the work seems incomplete.

    It is good to be reminded that God will continue His work, and often our absence is required for the process.

    I am making progress in the 'letting go' of many things, but know I am still holding tightly to others. A process that will continue until the end of (this) time, I'm sure.

    Glad you had a blessed birthday!

    Mary

  15. How I thank God for those who know us best and love us still — and the Lord is at the top of the list for me. I'm always amazed at how He loves me in spite of my weaknesses.

    So glad you got to spend such a sweet time with your family for your birthday. And good food to boot! Can't beat that, huh? 🙂

    Sending a belated birthday hug your way!

  16. so glad you had a wonderful birthday! The food looks delicious!!

    Letting go is such a hard thing to do in this world. We were made for eternity – so loss isn't something our hearts embrace. But, let go we must – knowing that God will always fill the spaces left…

  17. Happy birthday, my precious sister. Hands open and pressed together toward the sky. Incredible admonition.

  18. Well said my new friend. I so needed that today. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

    Love in Christ,
    Mel @ Maintaining Joy

  19. I'm in a bit of a rush this morning and will come back and more thoroughly read your post here.
    But I read your comment at "Sassy Granny" and wanted to tell you I agree with your insight there.

  20. Happy Belated Birthday my friend! One doesn't know their capacity until you have to let go and move on. But…I have let..albeit painfully at times that when the Lord asks us to let go…it is ultimately because He has a better plot for our empty spaces!

    Be blessed and your sonny too! May the Lord smile on your paths…today and for a long time to come!

    Gladwell

  21. How I missed this, I don't know…(I think I was on vacation…how's that for an excuse?) I'm catching up now and have enjoyed your subsequent posts – especially the Canaan one. Blessings on your life & family as you continue to "let go".

    And belated Happy 44th!

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