“But the Lord says, ‘Do not cling to events of the past or dwell on what happened long ago.’” Isaiah 43:18-20

Let Go Of The Struts

I just wanted to skydive. You know, strap on a parachute and jump out of an airplane high in the sky. But there was a class, and you had to practice jumping off a platform, and rolling on the ground; then, when finally ready to jump, we were delayed. After waiting for the winds to subside, a window of opportunity finally graced us. Someone shouted out, “It’s now or never!” I was the last one to jump—the wind returned and blew away my confidence. The instructor, however, refused to return me to the base, and forced me to “let go” by peeling my fingers off the struts and pushing!

I am so glad he forced me to “let go” of the struts. If he hadn’t, I would never have heard the sound of silence or enjoyed this magnificently beautiful experience. When the parachute opens it pulls you up fast, before you go down (or in my case also sideways) slowly. The wind had blown me off course; I had no concept of the correct direction and had not made proper corrections in the parachute. Thus, a cattle truck drove out to retrieve me. They also pointed out the wires that I, completely unaware, narrowly missed.

Life had blown me off course. I was taking serious wrong turns and was not making proper corrections. I had “let go” of what was right in my life, and was “clinging” to the things God wanted me to “let go.” What if I had hit those wires? Was I ready to face my LORD?

Do we really have time to gamble on eternity? Will we face God ashamed and embarrassed? We have a tendency to take God for granted, assuming we have more time. In reality, we are not guaranteed tomorrow or even our next breath.

In the parable of the ten virgins, knowing their bridegroom was coming, but not knowing when He would arrive, they fell asleep. The five virgins who were wise brought extra oil. These represent true believers. The five foolish virgins represent false believers (Matthew 7:21-23) who enjoy the benefits of friendship with Christians, but they don’t really share the same deep love and relationship with Jesus.

Stay alert (Matthew 25:13). Be ready to meet Christ. Whether at our next breath, or His return, we must be born again through faith in Jesus and a relationship with our Savior. A desire to flee from sin and pursue holiness will become apparent, along with the fruit of the Spirit of Jesus—which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness and self-control.

“Lord, You said, ‘Do not cling to events of the past….’ Please help us let go of anything or anyone that we are clinging to that is keeping us from total surrender to You and Your will for our lives.”