Today's Devotional

August 6, 2002

Subject: How Much Do You Let Go?

James 2:17 - "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone."

"Let Go and Let God" is another cliché that we often hear among believers.  It's not that I'm anti-cliché but it's just that frequently they become pat responses that are used in situations without any sense of relevance.  So that is often the thought that comes to my mind when I hear this one.  The question is, how much do you let go?  Do you turn your back on the situation completely or do you hold on to a certain part of it.  The reality is that God wants us intimately involved in the trials of our life.  That pain and heartache that we are experiencing is working a far greater good and God wants us to understand that and glorify Him in that situation.  Not only that but even believing God for things will move us to action.  These are the works which He has ordained us to do (Eph 2:10) as we just in Christ Jesus.  If someone tells you to stop that and "let go," ask them what you should then grab.  Our faith in Jesus Christ is an absolute belief that drives us to do the things that we do.   Trying to save a marriage?  God is pleased.  Don't let go.  Trying to bring peace to a disagreement?  God is pleased.  Don't let go.  Been praying for that coworker or friend to come to Christ?  God is pleased.  Don't let go of His purposes being accomplished as He uses you in this earth.  

Remember, if "Let Go" simply means hearing God more clearly, then fine, but to relinquish your trials, which God is using to build your character, to God and then expect them to simply disappear will lead to God bringing the trials back to you repeatedly until you accept them and choose to grow through them.  We could probably better phrase this one better and say, "Hang in there and go with God."

Carlen