The Merriam-Webster dictionary word “relinquish” means to give up (something): to give (something, such as power, control, or possession) to another person or group.
Is anyone else noticing the incredible busyness going on? It’s like busyness on steroids! Do you feel like Martha running around doing things when you want to sit at the Lord’s feet like Mary? Do you feel distracted and like you have no extra time? It’s not a coincidence. The enemy loves to distract us and get us so busy that we can’t concentrate on what the Lord has for us. He hopes we will miss it, and if we are not careful, we may.
Therefore, we want to be mindful that we don’t get pulled into activities we are not called to do. If we do that, we may also have difficulty relinquishing them. I believe we are in a season of many things, and one of them is relinquishing our plans and will for the Lord’s Plan and Will.
When the Lord asked me to relinquish a ministry
I remember one time the Lord quietly nudged me to relinquish a ministry that I was a part of at Church. It was all about worship, and we are created to worship Him. I love to worship the Lord, and it was an immense blessing and honor to do so through this ministry team. I admit it was hard for me to let go. I did not want to at first. I did not understand why He was asking me to lay it down. I needed to realize that the higher form of worship was obedience. Can you relate at all?
I hate to admit that before I obeyed, I came down with a case of the “Buts.” I said to myself, “But God is blessing me. But there is an anointing. But of course, God wants me to worship Him, I mean come on that doesn’t make sense.” I did not understand, so I questioned whether I heard God correctly.
However, in all my “buts,” the biggest and only important “but” that became clear to me was His “but” to me! It went something like this, “But daughter, that particular ministry was for a season, and I am moving you into a new season of teaching. He told me something I have passed on to my students since, and that is: if we don’t relinquish the last season’s ministry, we will have no room for “the next” God wants to bring us into. We cannot remain in the past and go forward at the same time.
The Lord revealed to me later that when we hold onto something (usually a ministry or “church-like” activity) and don’t move when God tells us to, we can also block another person’s growth because He wants to bring that other person into the position that we refuse to relinquish! I admit that this caught my attention! I would never want to stand in the way of God’s plans and purposes for another person or myself, and I’m sure you don’t want to either!
When we truly “walk the talk” by His grace, we will surrender our desires and put them on the altar before the Lord. What’s amazing is that as hard as this may be for us at times, remember that God always blesses us so much more than we can ask, think, or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). His plans for us are so much bigger and better than we can even comprehend!
Our Choice Matter
The Lord has opened my eyes to the fact that every choice we make matters. I don’t say that to scare anyone; it’s just a fact. There are consequences when we are obedient or disobedient. It has nothing to do with God’s love and grace for us. He loves us no matter what, but Jesus says those who love Him obey His commands. There is a blessing in obedience.
God chose us to have a personal relationship with Him and wants us to trust Him. We are created to be dependent on Him and to be led by Him, to be obedient, not because we have to but because we get to and want to honor our Father; we choose to obey out of love, reverence, and awe. I believe that when we are truly born again and have the Holy Spirit, we will want to do this. I did not say it was always easy, but the desire is there, and we need Him to help give us the grace and power to do His will. The reality is God is so good that His will is way better than anything we could ever think of for ourselves.
Be Encouraged
I want to encourage you today if you believe you are holding onto some things that must be relinquished. Maybe it’s time for you to let go and let God take you into the deeper places in Him. He knows the plans He has for you, plans of good and not of evil (Jer. 29:11). Let’s trust Him Beloved. He needs a willing heart from us. If you are not sure, that’s okay. If you ask, seek, knock, He will answer you. Let’s do that right now together.
Let’s Pray
Father God, we love You and thank You for loving us so much. Right now, we choose to relinquish the things that we have been holding onto for our own reasons in Jesus’ name. It may be because of fear, unbelief, comfort, or something else, but whatever it is, Lord, we come to You now and say here it is. We leave it at Your altar and ask You to take it and use it for Your purposes. We exchange our will for Your will, Lord, and trust You. If there is anything that we may not be aware of that we are holding onto, please show us by Your Holy Spirit so we can give it to you in Jesus’ name, amen. We thank You.
What do you think?
Would love to hear your thoughts and comments below!
Sybella
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