Most pastors are people of action. We listen for the voice of God and then step forward to make a difference. It is our calling. It is our responsibility. It is our identity. As is true with most strengths, there is a shadow side to this great asset.  We often have difficulty letting go.  Just as responding to need by taking specific action is a witness to our spiritual commitments, knowing when to let go is an essential act of faith.

When we get overly enmeshed in a particular challenge we can find ourselves crossing the line from faithful dedication to a self-centered need to fix and heal and make it all better. Letting go is not giving up. Rather, it is an acknowledgement that we have limitations and that God does not.

The goal is to be faithful to the Divine call, to embrace the power God has given, as well as to recognize that there are times when we have expended all the influence we can and our personal efforts will no longer have an impact. The time will come when we need to take a deep breath and let it go.

• Are you struggling with a challenge wherein your present efforts seem fruitless?
• How can you fully claim the power of the Holy in that present situation?
• How is letting go different from giving up?