Letting Go
“The Lord is my shepherd; I have what I need. He lets me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside quiet waters. He renews my life; he leads me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me; your rod and your staff—they comfort me.”
Psalm 23:1-4 CSB
As humans, we’re not easily wired to “let go.”
Being in charge, having control, or as some like to put it—having the ‘driver’s seat’, is far easier!
And let’s face it, when you are in the passenger seat, and your other half is driving, do you find it easy to not fret inwardly about things happening on the road beyond your control? My heart sure skips a beat when we are navigating through heavy traffic or dangerous weather.
But, there is a marvellous, deep-rested assurance when you know the one sitting next to you has many years of experience in navigating difficult circumstances on the roads. Especially when you know with certainty that they'll take care of you, no matter what.
The question is: Do we have that same assurance in our hearts with Christ?
Do we let Him take the driver’s seat in our lives, not fretting inwardly about where He’s taking us or how He’s driving? After all, He is called our perfect Shepherd—calling us to let go, to let Him lead, and rest in Him.
And He never forces His way into our lives.
Psalm 23:5-6 says:
“You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
as long as I live.”
Often, it’s easier to let Jesus be our Shepherd when things are going well, but what about during the difficult times in our lives?
We tend to see our lives on a sliding scale of famine to abundance. Abundance is typically measured by a shining career, having no debt in life, full bank accounts, and all our ‘ducks-lined-up’ for a comfortable retirement. But is this really what this passage means?
“The LORD is my shepherd; I have what I need…”
“For the believer in Christ, plenty and want are both constant states of being.” - She Reads Truth Bible, devotional.
The reality is that we are ever in need of God’s great mercy and grace, and He alone is our constant supplier.
True abundance is not found in this earthly life, and no measure of success or comfort will ever fill our cups. Our cups do not overflow with success, or empty with failure.
The truth, my dear friend: Christ alone, your beloved Shepherd, is your plenty.
Perhaps you’re dealing with a challenging season in your life at the moment. Maybe you feel like you haven’t measured up to the ‘successful life’ you’ve strained so hard to achieve.
No matter what you face, God uses these tough times to remind us of what really matters in life. It is in the emptying process that God gently assures us that He alone can fill and satisfy us. Nothing, and no one ever will.
Rather than seeing your situation or yourself through the ‘world’s lenses,’ or through your own preconceived ideas of success, see yourself surrounded and filled with the abundance of Christ’s everlasting love and beautiful, mighty presence.
He is your deep peace through every storm. He is your everlasting treasure.
Choose to rest today, in the everlasting arms of your Shepard. He will lead you and never forsake you.
Rest in Him, dear one.
And let go and let Him lead you.
Encouragement: Read slowly through Psalm 23 and think deeply upon a different verse for each day, allowing Jesus Christ to speak to you and encourage your heart.
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You that You are my perfect Shepherd. Forgive me where I have followed after the wrong things.
Help me in my time of trial and hardship. Show me Your Hand and where You are at work in my life.
Lord Jesus, You are all I need. You are my treasure. The constant presence by my side. I choose to let go and let You lead me, according to Your good and perfect purpose and will. I trust You. I lean on You.
Help me to rest in You in every way.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen
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