You can have all of the keys in the world, but if you don’t know which locks they open, the keys are going to do you no good.
Let me back up a bit.
“Let go and let God.” Have you ever heard that one? I think I first heard it when I was in high school, and my best friend, lovingly known as “Pie,” worked at the local Christian bookstore, “The Shepherd Shoppe.” I would visit Pie at work and would walk up and down the aisles browsing the fronts of cards, t-shirts, and books. And on one of these little walks, I saw that platitude. “Let go and let God.” And it stuck with me.
Initially, it was such a nice little feel-good saying. But over the years, as I lived life, “let go and let God” became like steel wool on my tender heart. Let go of what? And how? And how will I cope if I do let go? I’ve never had the answer to that, though twenty years have passed.
Over the last couple of weeks (and over the next several), I’m taking part in the launch team for Jennifer Dukes Lee’s book, The Happiness Dare, which will be released on August 2. The launch team has been reading the book together and discussing it. And long story short (too late, I know), through the reading and the discussion with the team, I’ve learned something about myself that I had really known all along. My happiness is based on my performance. With that knowledge in mind, I walked into Chapter 1 of the book you, Jason, Dusty, Glynn, and I are reading for *this* book discussion…
In Jerry Bridges’ “The Discipline of Grace,” the author says,
“Are we willing to rely on God’s grace and mercy alone instead of our performance…? If so, then we can stop living in our good-day-bad-day scenarios and bask every day in the grace of God. And in the joy and confidence of that grace we can vigorously pursue holiness.” (Bridges, 28)
Reading that, a key that I’d held for a long time slipped into the right lock. The tumblers lined up. And in another way, I became free. I can let go of my need to perform. I can let go of my perfectionism and legalism. As I let go of those things, I’m caught by a net of grace and mercy that is far more free than the net of fear and worry that I’ve lived my life wrapped in. This net of grace and mercy becomes wings of joy and confidence that allow me to fly freely into the life that is referred to in John 10 as “life in all its fullness.” And all because I finally “let go and let God.”
Today is the first week of our new book discussion. THANK YOU for joining us here! As always, you don’t have to read the book to come hang out. We love to hear everyone’s stories, feelings, and opinions. If you ARE participating in the book discussion, once you’ve read your chapter and written your post, you can link it up at the widget that Jason and I share. This week, the widget is at his place — www.endlessimpact.com. THANK YOU for coming by! Remember that you are loved!
About Sarah Salter
Funny you mentioned that line.. One of the best sermons that I ever heard Rev. Gardner Altman, Sr. preach was titled “Let Go And Let God” .. One of many “words of wisdom” that many of us got from his preaching over the years.. We just have to let go and let God work through all our imperfections.. Good one Sista Sarah…
We have a rescue dog that gets so excited when we tell her she’s a good girl, that she literally bounces off the walls and furniture.
In many ways, I can be the same way. If someone doesn’t tell me I’m doing good, I begin to doubt myself. I am greatly relieved that when it comes to grace, I do not have to worry about my performance. Otherwise, I would always doubt its existence for me.
Hallelujah! Praise be to God, our God who is yearning to gift us happy, abundant life. Blessed to see God working in your life. Thank you for sharing this in Jennifer’s Launch Team.
Sarah, I learned long ago that very few things in life have simply pat answers or solutions, like “let go and let God.” Or “enlarge my territory” like The Prayer of Jabez. If everything was so simple and straightforward, why should we pray?
Good post.
I like the keys analogy–so true. Our slogans can help us, but only when backed up by His truth and experience. Otherwise, like you said, they simply weigh on us and that’s not what God’s after! We’ll take another breath and another step into freedom. What a privilege that is! Thanks Sarah.
Great post, Sarah.
This chapter helped open my eyes to how I still try and earn God’s favor. I’ve known for awhile that I’m a perfectionist and tend to base my worth on my performance. God has brought me a long way from who I used to be, but this chapter showed me that I still cling to some of my old habits. I think this book is going to help me trust in His grace more.
Thanks for this post. Love the analogy of the key.
Hi, Sarah!
At Jason’s invitation, I’m joining this dialogue on A Discipline of Grace, and am so excited about this opportunity. Hope you will visit my blog, Meditations of My Heart, at http://marthaorlando.blogspot.com.
Loved your reflection here and will definitely follow your blog from here on out.
Blessings!
Martha, any friend of Jason’s is a friend of mine! Welcome! 🙂