Let Go & Grow

“The Lord did all that for you, but now he says, ‘Forget those things that happened a long time ago. Do not think about past events. Look! Now I will do something that is new! It is already beginning to happen. Surely, you can recognize it. Yes, I will make a road through the desert. I will make streams in the wilderness.” Isaiah 43:18,19,

EASY

In Luke 19:1 to 9, we find the story of Zacchaeus the Tax Collector.

To the people, Zacchaeus was a sinner and a traitor. To Jesus, He was a man worth saving. To Zacchaeus, he wanted to see who Jesus was.

As I contemplated on the title of this devotion, I thought about how growing often entails being able to let go. As I looked back at my past, those moments where I grew were because I was willing to change. According to Ai Overview, the key themes for growth are:

Releasing Control – letting go of the need to control outcomes allows for growth in trust.

Letting Go of the Past – releasing shame and mistakes allows for new spiritual growth.

Surrendering to Peace: Trusting God results in ‘perfect peace.’ (See Isaiah 26:3)

Waiting on God: Those who wait on the Lord “renew their strength.” (See Isaiah 40:31)

“Long before Zacchaeus needed to see Jesus, God planted a tree. He’s going before you and making a way for you too.” @chasing better.

No matter who may murmur and mutter about your past, know that God is willing to chart a way forward for you. Let go so you can grow.

“Sometimes holding on is what holds you back.” - Brittany Burgunder

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for the beauty of new beginnings. Thank You for bringing me to this point. I trust in Your Word where it says, “surely goodness and mercy will follow me all my life.”  Surely, You have been faithful to me. Help me to let go of the past and grow into whom I am to be in You. As with Zacchaeus, move me from a place of watching you from a distance to dining with You in my heart. In Jesus name, Amen.

“We are products of our past, but we don’t have to be prisoners of it.” - Rick Warren

“When things start to fall apart in your life, you feel as if your whole world is crumbling. But actually, it’s your fixed identity that’s crumbling. And that’s cause for celebration.” - Pema Chodron

“You’re not going to live in victory if you hold on to baggage from yesterday. Your hardest times often lead to the greatest moments of your life.” – Germany Kent

“I must feel and let go in order to grow.” – Grace Grossmann

“You are allowed to let go of your past and the outdated stories that have become so familiar. It’s okay, and even courageous, to close that chapter and move on.” – Brittany Burgunder

“My Christian friends, I do not think that I have reached that place yet. But this is what I do: I do not think about past things that have already happened. Instead, I try hard to reach the things that are in front of me.” Philippians 3:13, EASY

Be blessed to be a blessing.