let go and let god

By Mary Spence


Recently, at Daybreak, we have been discussing priorities in our lives. Actually, not priorities.... Idols. I have realized that many of the things I give my attention to in my life separate me from God. As soon as I let that thing have more access to me than God does it becomes a problem... Be it people, habits or hobbies. Focusing on that thing distracts me and pulls my attention away from where it should be. 

I am talking about big things like substances and work and spouses or even fear. But also what seems like small things, like Facebook, TV, and games on my phone. When I log into Facebook for my morning coffee time instead of my bible app... I am distracted again. It might even be good things, not bad. Like books, or texting people. But if it's distracting me from keeping my eyes on God, it needs less of me. It could be worry. I think about my to-do list and all my friends who are struggling. My children and all the pressures on them. My grandchildren who are living in this world we are all living in. And who doesn't worry? It's harmless, right? WRONG! Worry is a symptom of disbelief. 

When I let God guide me, I find it easier to align my priorities. Turning my family over to God's care has helped me sleep at night. Not because I know we will never have hardship, we have. But because I know He will be beside us as we walk through it. The overwhelming peace I feel in the times of trial and pain is indescribable. The peace and comfort I feel can be hard to understand, even for me. It is often seen as insane by others. But friends, I have seen Him make a way, or change the trajectory of a life on a dime. I have witnessed blessings that exceed belief and healing when medicine said it was impossible. I have felt His presence during profound loss. 

So, I work on my relationship with Him like it's the most important job I have. It is! My friend Norma says she is His favorite. I can see why, but I'm a very close second. Suddenly, my coffee time is worship time. My day starts with peace. I am reassured of who and "whose" I am! Starting off that way changes the path of my entire day. God desires your time. After all, what relationship can grow and deepen,  become stronger without time? It requires commitment to learn more about one another. 

I want to know His voice. I want to know Him by the way He says my name, like Mary at the tomb. On the morning after he died she went to the tomb with burial spices. When she got there, the tomb was open, and Jesus' body was gone. At first she was afraid, and when He appeared to her she thought He was the gardener. Then He spoke her name. And at that moment, she knew it was her Savior. She recognized her resurrected Lord by the way He said her name. Lord, let that be me!

John 20:15-16 NIV
[15] He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” [16] Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).