Christian cliches make me cringe. If it fits on a T-shirt or a social media meme, it is probably too simplistic to convey the full truth of God’s Word. “Let go and let God” fits into the cringe category of Christian cliches, no doubt, but there is truth to unpack within the statement. It’s a popular saying because there are far too many Christians claiming to follow Christ while living like atheists. Seeking to control the outcomes of life, they lie awake at night trying to fix every problem within their influential kingdom. Where does this need for control lead? Usually, it leads to panic attacks and anxiety medications. This is not the outcome God desires for His children.
Eve, in the Garden, was tempted by the serpent’s promise that she would be as god, knowing good and evil. Before the Fall, Eve only knew good. She had never considered the possibility that evil was an option. Though God had hardwired free will into His human creation, Eve had only experienced a perfect husband, a perfect world, perfect weather, and an unhindered relationship with God. Clearly, it was not Eve’s circumstances that drove her desire to be like God. Her world could not have gotten any better, and yet she still wanted more. She wanted to control her own destiny.
The desire to be like God won out. Eve chose to eat of the tree God said not to eat, and then she shared her fate with Adam. Humans have been striving to take over God’s job ever since, seeking to run the world the way they think it should go. The outcome never ends well, as Eve soon experienced. Her desire to control her world led one of her sons to kill the other, as Cain, too, wanted his own way. Sadly, the promise of the serpent only led to sorrow, suffering, and separation, not to the good life Adam and Eve had once enjoyed.
The difficulty of trying to be like God with human limitations is just that—limited. Limitations in human strength and knowledge, the need for rest, and the length of life hinder the lasting control and change people can achieve. Those who have recognized their spiritual inabilities to live perfect lives and received the gift of grace Jesus offers to cover their sin have already let God control the outcome of their eternity. Too often, however, the need to control life before death leads to carrying heavy burdens God never planned for them to carry.
This does not mean God intends us to do nothing while we wait for Him to put food on the table and money in the bank. The opposing ditch is that we believe every decision we make must be exactly right so that God has to bless us. This is just another way we try to control the outcome of our world. If we think we can make problem-free lives, we will be sorely disappointed. The truth lies somewhere in the middle of both ditches.
Psalm 37:3-9 offers the path for the Christian. The series of action words in these verses supply an excellent path for letting go and letting God.
Trust in the LORD, and do good;
so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
4 Delight thyself also in the LORD;
and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
5 Commit thy way unto the LORD;
trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light,
and thy judgment as the noonday.
7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him:
fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way,
because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath:
fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
9 For evildoers shall be cut off:
but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. Psalms 37:3-9
The summary of these verses comes to a simple choice to learn, love, and live out God’s Word, trusting God to accomplish His plan through His people in His timing. The inheritance is to come: not necessarily here on this planet, but in an eternity that far outlasts the vapor this life entails. Do the next right thing and trust God to control your universe. There is no better way to live.
I pray that these thoughts are an encouragement to someone today. I certainly need to be reminded, especially when uncertainty and overwhelming circumstances threaten my perfectly ordered world. Blessings to you all today!
Erica
His Song in the Night 