LET GO, BUT DON'T GIVE UP

​Do you have any family traditions?
 
One of my memorable things to do every summer was visit Canada’s Wonderland. I enjoyed the swings, the boat ride, the bumper cars, and of course getting a funnel cake at the end of the day before leaving. I really enjoyed these things about Wonderland. 
 
What I didn’t particular enjoy was the roller coasters. And this fear that I had lasted a couple of years and I was not able to fully experience the park for what it was. As I got older, staying with my uncle while the other kids went out rides started to get a little boring. I had to let go of this unknown feeling and fear.
 
Eventually, it got to a point where I had to overcome the fear and I did. I don’t remember exactly when, but it happened and I actually looked forward to going on the rollercoasters.
 
Is there anything you had to ever let go of?
 
Today, we are going to look at this subject of letting go. It’s something that we can all relate to and something we have all had to do in our lives.
 
“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:12-14
 
To let go means:
-We are not in charge.
-We are not in control.
-We trust God’s plan for our lives.
-We give every aspect of our lives to God.
 
As we let go, the Holy Spirit begins to flourish in us and as we share our experiences with God, a trusting relationship begins to grow. We bring everything to God and look for His perspective, which is what we all need today. 

​We all need God’s perspective and people out there in the world need God’s perspective. A great way that we can do that is through God’s Word. God speaks to us through His Word.
There are many different examples in the Bible of people who had to let go of something. Let’s look at a couple today:

1. Mother of Moses

Jochebed found herself in a troubled time of Israel’s history. The descendants of Jacob had become slaves in Egypt and the slaves grew so great in number the Egyptians became fearful.  So, Pharaoh sent out a proclamation that every Hebrew baby boy was to be killed.
 
Jochebed and her husband, Amram, had done their best to hide Moses for as long as they could. At three months old it would have been a matter of time before someone found him, so something had to be done now.
As a parent, I see this woman as a woman of great courage and faith. We all know what happens next, the daughter of Pharaoh finds Moses and not only did the Egyptian princess proclaim she would adopt Moses as her son, she sent his very own sister–who happened to be nearby–to find a nursemaid for the baby.
 
Jochebed had to let go of all fear and uncertainty in this situation and she was so blessed by letting go. God blessed her obedience by making her Moses’ nursemaid.

           2. Jonah  
The prophet Jonah was called on a mission to Nineveh and he responded by attempting to run away from his assignment from the Lord. He went towards Tarshish which was in the opposite direction of where he was supposed to go. Talk about a bad sense of direction, right?
 
Fast forward, he ends up in the belly of a large fish for 3 days and this where he repents and turns back to God. Jonah had to let go of his own uncertainties, plan, and pride. He had to let it all go before God.
 
As we talk about this today, I would like us to look at our own lives and ask the Lord to reveal to us anything that we need to let go of. Although letting go doesn’t sound like a positive thing, it actually is. When some people think of letting go, they think of giving up on something. Letting go is not giving up!
 
If we aren’t letting go, what are we doing?
 
We are holding on. And if we are holding onto things that God intends for us to let go of, we can miss out on receiving and experiencing fully what God has for us. Kind of like how I couldn’t fully enjoy Wonderland until I let go of the fear I had.
 
While letting go can be challenging at times, it is honestly one of the most freeing things we can do and letting go is so important that Jesus also let go. He knew what He was about to go through and He asked God if there was a way to take it away but not His will but God's will be done. He surrendered to the will and plan of the Father. If Jesus let go, how much more should we?
 
We are going to now look at a parable to help illustrate this a bit better for us today. The Parable of the Prodigal Son is a story that most of us are very familiar with and it truly is a beautiful picture of God’s love for humanity.
 
“Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This Man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Luke 15:1-3
 
Here we see tax collectors and sinners drawing to Jesus and the Pharisees and scribes (religious leaders and writers of the law) were complaining or grumbling about this. So in response, Jesus addresses the Pharisees and scribes with the parables.

From verses 4 through 32, there are 3 parables here:

1. The Parable of the Lost Sheep
2. The Parable of the Lost Coin
3. The Parable of the Lost Son (main focus for today)

 
Let’s now read the following verse and notice the emphasis and relation to these particular verses:
 
“I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” Luke 15:7
 
“In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15:10
 
“Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.” Luke 15:23-24
 
While these parables involve something that is lost, its not the main focus or theme here. Jesus is bringing light to God’s desire and joy in welcoming sinners to Himself.
 
There is also a main difference in these parables to take note of. Until Luke 15:24, we kind of expect the story to just end in celebration but there is a bit of a twist or something more important for us to see in the text.
 We see the other character who is the man’s other son who is also grumbling and complaining. Sounds familiar right? Let’s read about that again.
 
“Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This Man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Luke 15:1-3
 
This is an image of the Pharisees and scribes here.
The older brother didn’t grasp the freedom and joy of always being with his father. And he also didn’t appear to feel the loss of his brother leaving and the significance of his return.
Jesus was trying to bring awareness to the Pharisees and scribes of some things they had to let go of.
 
What do you need to let go of today?
 
I don’t know what you need to let go of, but I have some good news for you today. It doesn’t end with letting go. There is more to it. You can let go, but don’t give up!
The father let his son go but he never gave up. The bible says that when the son was still a great way off, the father saw him and had compassion. So he got up and went to his father.
 
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” Luke 15:20
 
The father was waiting for his son to come back home. And he even ran towards him. This text is also something to take note of with what Jesus is saying.
 
It was considered extremely undignified for a man to run anywhere in those times. Running was for children and running required men to hike up their robes and expose their legs, which was considered humiliating and disgraceful.
Jesus is showing us the importance here of letting go of things. The man didn’t care. He wanted to get to his son.

Maybe there is something you are trying to let go of today. I want to encourage you with these 4 points:

1. Let go of guilt and let God forgive you

 
1 John 1:9
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

           2. Let go of worry and let God comfort you 1 Peter 5:7
“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”

            3. Let go of control and let God guide you Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
 
           4. Let go of disappointment and let God love you
Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
 
Maybe like the story of the Prodigal Son, you may have a child today or another loved one who has not come home yet.
Let go. Let go. But don’t give up.
 
Pray for them, surrender it to the Lord and don’t give up. Have faith in the Lord and in what only He can do. This is how we don’t give up church. We can’t give up. We need to keep pressing on. 
 
Philippians 3:12-14
“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
 
At OMS Canada, we have some wonderful missionaries who sacrifice so much in their own lives and in their families. They let go of their own plans and choose to prioritize their time to serve God and others.
 
Learn more here about our missionaries and consider supporting one of them as you are able to. May God continue to bless you in all that you do.