Well, it has been much easier to post once a month, instead of once a week, but I am going to try to post at least on a bi-weekly basis to make it more interesting for all of you (and I'm sure there is a vast crowd awaiting my pearls).

I came across two different passages of scripture this week and they both had the same message - Let go.  First, in our family devotions we are making our way through the book of Acts.  I decided I wanted my kids to learn a little early church history and it has been fun.  Anyway, in chapter 21 Paul is at the home of Philip the evangelist in Caesarea.  A prophet, Agabus, comes over and prophesies that Paul will be bound by the Jews at Jerusalem and delivered over to the Romans.  Hearing this, the people around Paul start weeping and begging Paul not to go to Jerusalem.  His response is that he is ready, not only for imprisonment, but also to die for the name of the Lord Jesus.  So far, I understand, but what happens next brought me up short.  It says, "and since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, 'Let the will of the Lord be done.'"  Sure, maybe you saw that coming and have conquered this area in your life, but I realized I have struggled there.  I have had a couple of people in my life leave town recently.  And because I thought I saw what the results would be, I refused to believe that it could be God's will.  I hadn't ever reached the point of ceasing and saying, "Let the will of the Lord be done."  The truth is, Paul was bound by the Jews and handed over to the Romans.  He was imprisoned and ultimately died for the name of the Lord Jesus.  However, that was God's plan for him!  The prophet and Paul's friends weren't wrong about the results.  They were dead on.  God often chooses those immediate results, though, to accomplish something much greater down the road.  It was a good lesson for me.  Regardless of whether or not I'm right, I need to let go and let God's will be done.

The second passage I read this week was Philippians 4:4-7, "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!  Let your gentleness be known to all men.  The Lord is at hand.  Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."  Now this passage is a little more familiar to me, but the reminder was still worth while.  Don't be anxious, he says.  Instead, turn that anxiety over to God.  When we've done that, God can send that peace and joy which will guard our hearts and minds.

So, I'm letting go of people and letting go of anxiety this week.  I think I'll do a little rejoicing instead!  And not just because the Bears beat the Packers again... :)