WHAT’S THE PROBLEM? WHAT’S WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE?
Danny Cox, a former jet pilot turned business leader, tells his readers in Seize the Day that when jet fighters were first invented, they "flew much faster than their propeller predecessors. So pilot ejection became a more sophisticated process. Theoretically of course, all a pilot needed to do was push a button, clear the plane, then roll forward out of the seat so the parachute would open."
But there was a problem that popped up during testing. Some pilots, instead of letting go, would keep a grip on the seat. The parachute would remain trapped between the seat and the pilot’s back.
The engineers went back to the drawing board and came up with a solution. Cox writes:
“The new design called for a two-inch webbed strap. One end attached to the front edge of the seat, under the pilot. The other end attached to an electronic take-up reel behind the headrest. Two seconds after ejection, the electronic take-up reel would immediately take up the slack, and force the pilot forward out of his seat, thus freeing the parachute.”
Citation: Jim Davis, pastor, Silverdale, Washington; source: Danny Cox, Seize the Day: Seven Steps to Achieving the Extraordinary in an Ordinary World (Career Press, 1994) © 2000 PreachingToday.com / Christianity Today, Inc.
What’s wrong with this picture? Why would those pilots keep hanging on to their seats when they needed to let go in order to live?
Wait a minute, what about you and me? Can you think of a time in your life that left you hanging on when you should have let go? Probably – I think all of us have done it.
SO WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS? HOW CAN WE KNOW WE’RE NOT LETTING GO WHEN WE SHOULD?
What kinds of feelings and emotions do you have when you encounter change in your life? Do changes leave you feeling insecure and out of control? When your circumstances become unlike anything you’ve ever expected, do you feel helpless and hurt? Do you feel deserted and alone when you’re surprised by something different in your life? If so, then you are probably hanging on when you need to let go.
Have you been feeling bitter and angry for no apparent reason? Have you been wondering about why you aren’t treated better? If you were really honest, would you have to say you’ve been pretty selfish lately? If so, then you are probably hanging on when you need to let go.
In your conversations, have you been demanding – seeking to have things done your way? Do you try to control the outcome of your decisions? Do you wish you could make choices for other people? If so, then you are probably hanging on when you need to let go.
ALL RIGHT THEN, WHAT’S THE DIAGNOSIS? WHY DO WE HANG ON WHEN WE SHOULD LET GO? AND WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF WE DON’T LET GO?
On the surface, this problem arises from a few inadequate assumptions about life. First of all, we tend believe life ought to flow smoothly from one day to the next without little or no interference. Then, we suppose that if something is right everyone (or at least the majority) will feel good about it. And sometimes we’re inclined to think that having faith in God will remove all the obstacles in life. Finally, we would like to measure God’s love by our comfort. But life isn’t like that is it? When your experiences prove these ideas wrong, your natural instinct is to hang on tight and not to let go.
Behind these inadequate assumptions, there is the desire to be comfortable and secure. This desire is a part of all humans, but some personalities are more inclined to have a place for everything and to keep everything in its place. Some childhood experiences, like the death of a parent, can amplify this desire for comfort and security. Even the disappointments and hurts you’ve experienced as an adult can drive you to seek more comfort and security. On top of all these things, the spiritual forces of evil can plant thoughts in your mind that might push you into hanging on when you need to let go.
But the root cause is deeper still. You and I insist on hanging on when we should let go because we don’t really trust God.
"We live under the illusion that if we can acquire complete control, we can understand God…. But the only way we can brush against the hem of the Lord… is to have the courage, the faith, to abandon control. For the opposite of sin is faith…."
Citation: Madeleine L’Engle in Walking on Water. Christianity Today, Vol. 36, no. 4. © 2000 PreachingToday.com / Christianity Today, Inc.
If you and I never learn to let go, we’ll never feel close to God. We’ll never God working through us.
WHAT’S THE PRESCRIPTION? HOW CAN WE LEARN TO LET GO?
Joshua experienced the same thing. Let’s see how he learned to let go.
[1] After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: [2] "Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them--to the Israelites. [3] I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. [4] Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates--all the Hittite country--to the Great Sea on the west. [5] No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.
[6] "Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. [7] Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. [8] Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. [9] Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." [Joshua 1 NIV]
When the death of Moses changed Joshua’s world, he listened to the voice of the Lord. God made a PROMISE – “I will be with you.” And then He gave Joshua a COMMAND – “Be strong and courageous.”
THE BOTTOM-LINE:
The basic answer to our desire to hang on when we should let go is to LISTEN to the Lord’s promise and His command.
CONCLUSION:
God promises to be with you when you stop hanging on to your life and let of it.
Bruce Larson, in BELIEVE AND BELONG, tells how he helped people struggling to surrender their lives to Christ: “For many years I worked in New York City and counseled at my office any number of people who were wrestling with this yes-or-no decision. Often I would suggest they walk with me from my office down to the RCA Building on Fifth Avenue. In the entrance of that building is a gigantic statue of Atlas, a beautifully proportioned man who, with all his muscles straining, is holding the world upon his shoulders. There he is, the most powerfully built man in the world, and he can barely stand up under this burden. ‘Now that’s one way to live,’ I would point out to my companion, ‘trying to carry the world on your shoulders. But now come across the street with me.’ “On the other side of Fifth Avenue is Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, and there behind the high altar is a little shrine of the boy Jesus, perhaps eight or nine years old, and with no effort he is holding the world in one hand. My point was illustrated graphically.
“We have a choice. We can carry the world on our shoulders, or we can say, ‘I give up, Lord; here’s my life. I give you my world, the whole world.’” Citation: Richard A. Hasler
You can learn to let go by giving God your desire for comfort, security and control. Let Him replace it with the reality of His presence.
Are you ready to let go? Do you want to learn how? Are you ready to give your world to God? If so, raise one of your hands to demonstrate your commitment to live by faith in God’s promise presence.
