Again, Let it Go. Please
By James Washington
Special to the Outlook from NNPA
I am trying again to internalize that today is the day the Lord has made. Don’t complicate it.
The more complicated the world seems, the simpler it is to understand, God’s Word. I’m reminded every day and sometimes get caught up in the power of ego, pride and the desire to control, or better yet, be in control. Letting go and letting God, however easy to understand is still really hard to do when all hell is breaking loose around you.
We all know people who can quote scripture backwards and forwards but have little to no faith. Likewise, we also know what I call Christian control freaks, who must have the last say and who must be right all the time. I know I can easily get caught up in trying to rationalize circumstances I’ve created in order to explain the events of the day, any day; as if by some miracle of intelligence, I am the authority.
It is more often than not these days, that if I recognize I am blessed and subsequently open to the Holy Spirit, I get to see the miracles, the nuances, the essence of life. The day belongs to the Lord. I am not in control and it is okay.
Giving one’s life to Christ requires the discipline of faith to not take credit or assess blame. When you focus on service in the name of the Lord, you really get a chance to see things from a different perspective. Now the service I’m referring to is the selfless kind which seeks neither reward nor recognition. The act speaks for itself. Christ tells us that God knows what’s in your heart and thus knows your intention.
Love God and love your neighbor as yourself; simple enough? It’s so simple, in fact, that if you’re not careful, you’ll miss this thing altogether. Now on this day that God has made, any day, let’s take this simple concept into what we think is a complex world. That means behavior should have parameters. Actions should have purpose. Intent should easily be identified. Now let’s look back over your yesterday. When I do that I find a lot of times jealousy, envy, pettiness, cruelty, mean spiritedness and the like have crept into my reaction to the world. Face it. It’s hard to be humble, loving, giving and a source of truth all day every day. It takes will power and you know the will I’m talking about.
The calling of every Christian is to try. It’s the effort rooted in faith that God expects. If you’re first seeking the kingdom, then your daily behavior will reflect your effort and certainly have direct bearing on what you do today, how you perform and certainly with whom you hang out. Looking back on it, I know I’ve known angels walking among us.
I believe without a doubt saints are with us and we ignore them because we’re busy pursuing the world and all it has to offer, rather than pursuing God. I’m blessed to say that from these living breathing angels I’ve learned as the saying goes, the battle ain’t over until you win. Or better yet, the battle is over because Christ already won the war. It’s kind of nice to know He took care of that eternity thing some time ago. All I have to do is get through this life thing. It may not make sense on one level but on another, it really is simple. See me. See God. I can do this. I just gotta let go; one hour at a time, one day at a time, one person at a time. Today is truly a day that the Lord has made.
May God bless and keep you always,
James,
jaws@dallasweekly.com
