Hold All Things Loosely

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17 (NIV)

During World War II, Corrie ten Boom and her sister, Betsie, were sent to a concentration camp for hiding jews in their home. Sadly, Betsie died in the concentration camp. Shortly thereafter, Corrie was mistakenly released due to an administrative error. After her release, she travelled the world as what she called “a vagabond for God.” She encouraged hundreds of thousands with her message of God’s love, forgiveness and His power that transcends human understanding. One of the many wise things she said was this,

"I have learned to hold all things loosely, so God will not have to pry them out of my hands."

When we hear these words from Corrie ten Boom, we think: “Hang on. Wait a minute, is this really what God is asking of us?’ I believe He is. Corrie understood that everything – our possessions, our family, friends, our careers, gifts, talents, our very lives belong to God. They are blessings, gifts from His heart of love to us, His children. And since they belong to Him, He wants us to surrender them to Him. To release our grip on them and relinquish any rights we have over them.

He Gives and Takes Away

This is an extremely difficult challenge for all of us. But I believe that this is what God, in His kindness, wants us to do. He wants us to be aware of His sovereign control over our lives. Aware that when He takes from us, He is not doing so because He is frivolous or does things at a whim. Everything He does, even if it means taking what is precious from us, is part of His plan. When Job lost everything precious to him – his children, his wealth, his reputation, he made this extraordinary statement,

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” Job 1:20-21 (NIV)

Job’s statement is indicative of a man who held things loosely. His loss and suffering led him on a road of discovery of the sovereign God he was devoted to and worshipped. A God whose good plans will not be thwarted (Job 42:2). When God’s plans were revealed to Job, his eyes were opened to see who God really is. A God he could trust. A God who saw the bigger picture (Job 42:5). A faithful God who does not change like shifting shadows. A God who does all things well.

When we hold everything precious to us loosely, our eyes will be opened to see more clearly our Lord and Saviour who holds our future firmly in His hands.

But I am trusting you, O Lord, saying, “You are my God!” My future is in your hands. Psalm 31:14-15a (NLT)

 

Reflection:

Take time to think about the things you may be holding too tightly. Will uou release them to God?

Prayer:

Thank You, Lord, for the blessings that You have bestowed upon me. I relinquish my rights over them and release them to You. Help me to trust You with everything I have. Help me to know that You hold my future in Your hands. In Jesus’ name. amen.