“This is how we know what real love is: Jesus gave his life for us. So we should give our lives for our brothers and sisters. Suppose someone has enough to live and sees a brother or sister in need, but does not help. Then God’s love is not living in that person. My children, we should love people not only with words and talk, but by our actions and true caring.” [1 John 3:16-18]

It’s Sunday, which means I was able to go to church and hear God’s Word. This week is about letting go. As the fasting begins, the first week is going to be the hardest. It supposedly takes twenty-one days to make or break a habit. I’m really hoping to have both. Yesterday’s devotional was about a certain kind of fasting. It was about making a habit out of spending myself for others. It’s about giving my time and energy to those in need. It’s about being a light in the darkness. I have to act like God is living in me. Like the verses above say, I have to show the same love God has given me to others. My actions have to match up with God’s because that’s what being a follower is about. I have to act selflessly. Humbly. I have to think positively. Higher. I have to let go of anything that is holding me back from serving wholeheartedly.

God let go of His Son to save me. It was the ultimate sacrifice to end all sacrifices. The sacrifices I am asked to make are minuscule compared to Jesus dying on the cross for me. Calvary happened so I can be set free. God wants every set of baggage that is holding me back from where I’m supposed to be. God wants me to possess the freedom He has given me. The devotional said true freedom and happiness can only come by letting go of things that hold a position in our hearts that God wants to hold Himself. Emery Allen said “Letting go is such a difficult thing to understand. You can’t try to let go. Trying to let go is like trying not to think about something. You’re just going to think about it even more. I think letting go is less of an ending of one thing and more of an acceptance of everything. It’s okay that this is the way it is right now. There’s no other way it’s supposed to be.” I’m supposed to be at my promise land. I’m supposed to be at the exact spot I have asked God to put me in. I have to accept that promise. I have to take possession of that promise. This is how it’s supposed to be. I have to let got of all that is holding me back. I have to let go of the lies fed to me. I have to let go of people. I have to let go of an attitude. A mindset. A way of life. I’m heading towards where I need to be and nothing is going to hold me back.

Lord, You spent Yourself for me. There are so many areas where You have given and all I’ve done was receive. Lord, I want to give it all back to You. It’s all Yours. All I have. I wouldn’t have it if it weren’t for You. You know what I need to let go of. I pray these next three weeks bring total deliverance. Scratch that. There is deliverance at the end. This I know. I believe and I’m going to go for it. This has to be the year I learn to fully seek You. This is the year I dive into all You have waiting for me. I’m going to risk it. I’m going to love Your people like You love them. You gave me such an inordinate amount of love. If there is any other area in my life in which I am holding onto ever so tightly, I pray I let go of that. I can already see the victory at the end. I will no longer waste my energy on petty things. I will find beauty in everything. I will be a peacemaker. I will be filled with light. I will be quick to trust in You. I will be quick to obey. Where You go, I will follow. I believe You will continue to provide for my education. For gas, for water, for food, for shelter. I don’t want to feel like I’ve wasted the time You’ve given me here on earth. Have Your way these next three weeks. This next year. For the rest of my life. Pilot me. Be the Wind that guides my sails. I want to put You first.