Release
I had a big work event today, one of those times where you really hope to be bright eyed and clear.
The trouble is, I really wasn’t.
Everyday things seemed to get in the way of me feeling ready.
Yesterday, the time I had set aside for preparation went out the window when something unexpected came up, swallowing all of my time, then a bad night’s sleep, and I can’t generally string a sentence together when I’ve had a night without sleep, so I got out of bed feeling frayed and tentative about what the day would hold.
But in the middle of this very ordinary experience, God revealed something which has staggered me.
I got off the bus, on my way to the event, realising the full weight of how ill equipped I was.
God has been teaching me a lot about what it means to be living in His grace recently, really free in His grace, and in those moments just before, I realised His grace is all I had (and that it’s all I ever have).
But as I spoke out His promise in my heart, My grace is sufficient for you 2 Cor. 12:9, I felt His Spirit ask me the question, But will you trust that it is sufficient for you?
Will I trust that His grace is sufficient?
So often, I have clung with tight fists to this hope that God will come through for me in a situation. God, You have to help me, I can’t do this without You. Please give me Your grace. The thing is though, the minute I’ve spoken out this kind of prayer, I go straight back to the nerves and the stress and the worry, as if I were facing the situation all on my own.
What God revealed to me in that moment though is this: will you trust Me? Will you let this go to Me? Will you release this to Me?
It was like holding the worry to my heart, and then drawing it away, looking up, and holding it out to Him to take from me.
It was risking.
It was not knowing.
It was a confident expectation in Him.
It was faith.
And you know what? It all worked out. Better, actually, than I could have imagined. Better, than the other times I have been in this particular situation. And it was all Him.
My example could not have been more routine, but this realisation of His faithfulness has been so inspiring and so freeing for me today. Maybe there is something in your life right now, maybe something very different, a relationship, a problem at work, a situation that seems hopeless, and maybe the Lord would ask you the same,
Will you trust Me? Will you let this go to Me? Will you release this to Me?
God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us ~ Ephesians 3:19-20 (The Message).
Beautiful, Birgit. That is the difference between fact and truth. Fact exists; truth transforms. Thank you for reminding me to trust God.
“So often, I have clung with tight fists to this hope that God will come through for me in a situation.”
I keep learning this lesson over and over and over. Must mean I’m not actually learning it, huh?
To trust in His goodness, that whatever does happen — He comes through or we fall flat on our faces in front of a watching crowd — He is still good. And He can work all things for His glory.
To release and trust…if we really believe He is good, then it becomes easier to trust…
Thanks, Birg. And the picture looks a lot like our “thrift”…a low growing ground cover that blooms in Spring…? Beautiful. Can’t WAIT for Spring!!!
What a beautiful example, Birgit! Thanks. It makes me think of carrying a heavy burden, begging God to help, and yet holding on to it with all my strength instead of letting go as He reaches to take it.
Just the kind of thing I’ve done over and over. It’s so counter-intuitive to just let go, and yet that’s what I need to do. He is slowly, gently teaching me.
I love the way you put that @ngie – “Fact exists; truth transforms.” This is so true, and my hope is that I would grow in more of God’s word having this kind of transforming effect – it is very freeing! Lots of blessings to you friend
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Your reply really ministered to me Michelle, thank you. It’s so good to be reminded that however something works out, that God is completely in control, and He is good, and we can trust Him
Not only that but He has given us the wonderful assurance that He will work it all out for our good in Romans 8:28, as you mentioned here. It’s really reassuring!
I love the way you know flower names! I thought theses were so delicate and pretty and fresh looking – and yes, this was taken in the Spring
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I really know what you mean Cindy
And that’s the perfect word for it – “counter-intuitive.” It’s that feeling that it’s all on your own shoulders, and yet, it’s just as you say here, that we can let it go to God, and allow Him to work in the situation. It reminds me of that verse where Peter encourages us to cast our care upon Him, because He cares for us (1 Pet. 5:7). Thanks so much for your insight here 
Just shows you how much more God has in store for us – isn’t this the life God has always had in mind for us? Living in His Grace?
Love, D