"Let go, let God" aka Another piece of the jigsaw puzzle

Let go, let God.  Sounds easy enough.  In actuality it’s very difficult.  The way we’ve been taught, the American way, involves controlling situations and events to maximize advantage.  For most important or troublesome matters there are dozens of things to consider, and a virtually infinite amount that could be done,

Take a common scenario – financial difficulties.  We might consider changing careers or employers, appeasing and/or negotiating with the landlord and creditors, cutting expenses, etc.  Just consider the job situation; here are some of the things that could be done:

1.      update the resume

2.      do a cover letter

3.      customize the resume and cover letter for different positions

4.      contact and verify references

5.      send out and post resumes

6.      create or update profiles on Facebook, LinkedIn and other sites

7.      upgrade the cellphone for accessing email and the web

8.      upgrade the computer for Skype and video conference capacity

9.      network

10.  clean up and/or update the wardrobe for interviews and conferences

11.  look for more places to send out and post resume

12.  do more networking and maintain regular contact

13.  write and post blogs and articles for a showing of expertise

14.  on and on and on

Moreover, one can’t help but consider and plan timing, scenarios, locations and mood enhancers for all of the above.  Next - evaluate one’s approach and all factors after each call, meeting and response (or lack thereof) and then modify/fine tune as necessary.

Whew.  There’s so much that could be done.  And isn’t it funny how one best handles one thing seems to depend upon what happens with this, that and the other thing?

I was beginning to drive myself crazy with one of those common troublesome scenarios we all end up dealing with sooner or later.  I didn’t consciously think about letting go, letting God.   I just did it.  I had to.  I couldn’t handle it on my own.  I prayed - a lot – and just quit worrying and trying to do this and that and every little thing.

Let go, let God.  I think I know what it means now.  I know one effect is somewhat like taking a mini vacation and merely delighting in what each day brings.  And He provided a way when there was no way.  Amazing.

Here’s one of the scripture passages attributed as the source of the phrase “Let go, let God”:

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.   Matthew 11:28-30.

As to our part in the “let go, let God” approach - part of the trick may be to simply do what one must.  The “musts” can be few.  Somehow, we know what they are.  Do what can be done and don’t worry.  Yeah, that important call may be better made at a time other than at 4:55 pm on the Friday of an upcoming three day holiday weekend.  But make the call.  Don’t wait until you’ve lost that twenty pounds, have a new hair style and it’s a worry free sunny morning with the moon in Venus.

Go with what you have.  Don’t wait until everything has been perfectly coordinated.  Don’t try and rework your entire life before making a single call.  Don’t worry about the liklihood of success.  Don’t try to pretend your blueberry muffin is a vanilla cupcake with strawberry frosting.  God put you where you are; do your part.  Do what you must.  Let God take care of the rest.

John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  John 3:16

(clip art courtesy of this site)

Children are a gift from the Lord.

This morning Amari showed me a book entitled What Every Child Needs.  It’s a small, flip the pages calendar type book with daily encouragement for moms.  My favorite 3 and ½ year old turned to the first page which said “Children are a gift from the Lord”; she wanted me to put her name after “To” and mine after “From”.  I did it, and she smiled.  I smiled too.

(Image from Christian clip art and graphics here)

First take the plank out of your own eye

There are portions and passages of the Bible that immediately speak to me.  At other times, the meaning and impact comes much later.

An incident came up recently.  I moaned and groaned to myself and others about how, when and if a particular chore was done.  The details aren’t important because there have been way, Way, WAY too many similar situations.  A vague recollection of a verse came to mind; I looked for it and found:

Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay not attention to the plank in your own eye?  How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?  You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. (emphasis added) Matthew 7:3-5

It finally dawned upon me that I’ve always been real, real good at seeing a speck of sawdust in another’s eye.  I’ve been equally proficient at ignoring the lumberyard in my own eyes.  Insight can be humbling.

Here a click, there a click

Bible Verse Motivational John
by James Davidson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(You may find this print and more at the AllPosters site under Christianity Posters here)

Sunday

Birds chirping at dawn,

morning coffee with raw honey.

The colors of late spring,

blooming purple, orange, red, pink and yellow.

Wispy clouds in a blue sky,

a slight breeze and dogs barking behind hedges

on a stroll to the park.

Stopping and looking both ways at the corners,

holding hands with a three year old

who giggles on the climb

to the top of a slide, says “wheeee” going down.

Other children kicking a soccer ball,

still more playing catch.

An afternoon nap, coffee with milk

and slowly reading the New York Times

while rocking on the porch.

Thank you Father.

Only through Christ?

Are Muslims, Jews and a host of others condemned to hell, or eternity as a few specks of dust, because they haven’t accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior?  Does a righteous life or fervent belief in one God count for nothing on the Day of Judgment if one is not Christian?

The cartoon is by David Hayward, the Naked Pastor.  You may find out about him and his artwork here.