Friday, October 10, 2014

By: Rocky Angelette

Letting Go

Acts 27:15  ...and when the ship was caught in it and could not face the wind, we gave way to it and let ourselves be driven along!

For one of my Church's prayer walks, I decided to remain in my own neighborhood ... to pray for my neighbors. As I was walking alongside a huge ditch, my attention was diverted to the depth and enormity of this "canal." 

 My thoughts wandered back to my childhood ... having a ball playing with my GI Joes in the ditches near my home ... watching how the slight current produced tiny rapids which flowed through the sticks and rocks that protruded from the ground. 

 However, on this particular day, I noticed that the current in my neighborhood's massive ditch was nearly shut off by a large object.  It almost looked as if it was intentionally placed there.  As I got closer, I was astonished to discover that this ditch was almost completely blocked by a gigantic, solid chunk of cement that had hardened!

 I began to reflect on the times that we are faced with a devastating situation that causes the flow of our lives to come to a near halt. Leaving us baffled ... feeling hopeless. 

 Just as it would take more than mere human efforts to remove the substantial cement rock that had formed in my neighborhood's ditch, we are unable to dispose of the debilitating rocks in our lives - on our own.  We need help ... we need God's intervention. 

 Interestingly, His intervention may be allowing us to ride out the storms of our lives in order to clear out the rocks that are threatening to stifle our well-being.  It may not be what we desire for our lives, BUT it may be necessary for God's plan to be fulfilled. 

 Today's verse reminds us that sometimes we must allow ourselves to be driven along. We need to let go of our efforts to fix things AND allow God to take over the helm of our lives.  My challenge to you is "Don't fight it ... Let your storm do its job ... Allow yourself to be guided by Him." Always know that He will rescue you, He will lift you up by His glorious hand. 

 Dear Lord, While I may not understand my rocks, the storms of my life, I will trust You in my perilous times.  I will keep my eyes focused on You ... knowing that there is always calm after the storm.

I thank You, my Jesus, for dying for me. I believe that You are Lord and that God raised You from the grave so that I can have eternal life.

Reflection: Are you dreading the storms of your life, OR are you waiting in great anticipation for their arrival to wash away everything that has the potential to keep you from achieving ALL that God has for you?