Let Go and Let God!

There's nothing like a movie where the handsome hero saves the damsel in distress.  In modern day tales (you know, the ones that aren't set in medieval times with castles and dragons, which are my absolute favorites), I'm drawn to the scenes where the damsel has just fallen off the edge of a cliff or a collapsed bridge and is dangling by her fingertips above the dizzying precipice.  The following moments are so predictable, but I love them nonetheless.  The hero reaches down and issues the command, "Grab my hand."  Indecision shadows the face of the damsel.  She knows that in order to grab his hand, she has to let go of whatever it is she's currently holding to.  If she releases her grip to grab his hand, she might fall.  But on the other hand, is it ever the right move to hold onto something that can't hold onto you?  In the end, she lets go of her handhold, grabs his outstretched arm and finds herself lifted to safety.  And they live happily ever after.

Sometimes in life we get to play the hero, but more often than not, we're the damsels in distress (sorry, guys, no offense).  Too often we find our bridges crumbling out from beneath us, and we're left dangling above the precipice of hopelessness, despair, guilt, depression and grief.  We struggle, trying to lift ourselves up.  We put forth all the effort and strength we can muster, but eventually, we weary of the fight.  Our strength is gone.  Our bodies are tired.  Our souls are weary.  And our hearts are broken.  It takes every ounce of strength we have to hold on to that narrow outcropping.  And that's when we hear the voice from above, "Grab my hand."

Indecision clouds our minds.  If we let go, we might fall.  Then suddenly, we remember to whom that outstretched hand belongs.  This is no ordinary hero.  This is no typical knight in shining armor.  This is Heaven's Hero, and the Bible tells us that He alone is able to keep us from falling. . . but first, we must let go of whatever it is we're depending on for support and safety.  We must release that ledge of financial security.  We must pull our hands away from our own dreams and ambitions.  We must let go of our pride and insecurities. 

World-renowned author and speaker, Nick Vujicic, puts it like this:  "When people read about my life or witness me living it, they are prone to congratulate me for being victorious over my disabilities.  I tell them that my victory came in surrender.  It comes every day when I acknowledge that I can't do this on my own, so I say to God, 'I give it to You!'  Once I yielded, the Lord took my pain and turned it into something good, which brought me real joy."

"Victory came in surrender."  What a beautiful thought.  Is it any wonder so many of us are struggling, constantly fighting battles we can't win.  Could it be we can't find the victory because we're not fully surrendered to God?  As long as we're holding onto the ledge, He can't pull us to safety.  He needs us to let go.  He wants us to let go.  He's pleading for us to let go.

Whatever you're facing today, no matter how difficult or disheartening, won't you let go and let God pull you up to higher ground?  He won't let you fall, for if you're His child, you are forever in His grip.  And if you're not His child, He wants you to be.  Call to Him; He will answer you.  Reach out to Him, and He'll lift you to realms unlike any you've ever known.  He is able.  He is willing.  He is there with an outstretched arm.  Release your burdens.  Release your grip.  And grab hold of that nail-scarred hand.  Your "happily ever after" is in the making.

Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. - Jude 1:24-25