Let Go and Let God

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55: 8-9

 

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

 

“The next day there was a wedding celebration in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration. The wine supply ran out during the festivities, so Jesus’ mother told him, “They have no more wine.” Dear woman, that’s not our problem,” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.” ⁵ But his mother told the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Standing nearby were six stone water jars, used for Jewish ceremonial washing. Each could hold twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” When the jars had been filled, he said, “Now dip some out, and take it to the master of ceremonies.” So the servants followed his instructions. When the master of ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from (though, of course, the servants knew), he called the bridegroom over.  “A host always serves the best wine first,” he said. “Then, when everyone has had a lot to drink, he brings out the less expensive wine. But you have kept the best until now!”  John 2: 1-10

Recently I have been convicted of my tendency to pray for specific answers to my requests– as though I know better than God what needs to happen. Like most of you (I suspect), I have people in my life for whom I have been praying for a while now, asking God to intervene in certain ways. But in reality, I don’t know what is actually best for these people! There’s almost a bit of a control factor at work here, I’m afraid. If I can just use the right words when I pray, God will know how to “fill my prescription.” I’m humbled by this– and I am also realizing that I’m depriving myself of peace, until I can “let go and let
God.”

It occurs to me that the prayer Jesus taught His disciples to use as a framework for all prayer, only mentions (in a sense) a few petitions to make of God: that His will be done, that He bless us with physical and spiritual sustenance, and that He forgive and guide us. Back to the basics, right? And letting God fill in the blanks. When Jesus, His mother and His disciples attended the wedding at Cana, it came to Mary’s attention that the host was running out of wine to serve the guests. As theologian Ole Hallesby points out, “She goes to the right place with the need she has become acquainted with. She goes to Jesus and tells him
everything. Let us notice that she did nothing more. She knew that she did not have to help him by suggesting what he should do. She knew also that she did not have to influence him or persuade him to give these friends a helping hand. No one is so willing to help as he is! Jesus’ mother had learned a secret of successful prayer: We should not interfere in our prayers but should leave the when and the how concerning the fulfillment of those prayers entirely to God.”

Prayer: Dear Lord, Help me to know the freedom of sharing my heart with You on behalf of those I love– and then waiting with patience and complete trust that You will supply answers when the time is right, as You work everything out for the best.   Amen.

Carolyn Rex