Lent: Letting go

(out of convenience, i'm re-posting & editing sth i'd written some time ago heh. will write a new one when i'm freer :P)

Relinquish–verb (used with object)
1. to renounce or surrender (a possession, right, etc.): to relinquish the throne.
2. to give up; put aside or desist from: to relinquish a plan.
3. to let go; release: to relinquish one's hold.

relinquish. i like the way it sounds :)

how many times have we been told to "Let go and let God"? it's become a cliche until it's no longer effective, for me at least. it's become just sth i tell ppl, like it's an obvious truth that everybody should know. but are we really able to live up to it? am i able to truly, truly release something precious in my hands and offer it up to God and put it in His hands without leaving some behind for myself? am i able to give this certain something entirely, whole-heartedly and without grievance to God, and ask Him to take care of it without checking in with Him periodically how is it doing in His hands? am i really able to "not bother" abt it anymore and to trust sincerely, faithfully, above all logical thinking and reasoning, and to relinquish my illusion of control over things?

it is difficult, but it is liberating. :) relinquishing sth, is liberating. it frees us up for more blessings, different kind of blessings, and moves us in a different train of thought that's less self-centered. i learnt that i have to be willing to give up control over things, to be able to receive new things. it's like that story of the boy whose hand was stuck in the cookie jar, cos he was holding on to too many cookies. he had to let go of the cookies before he can get his hand out.

if our hands are closed tightly ard sth, we are unable to receive anything more, anything better (or worse, sometimes). and yes it can be scary, giving away what little we have, to be left with empty palms, wondering when someone will put sth into our hands. and we dun even know what that sth is: good, better or worse. we are like a beggar, almost.

but isn't this being vulnerable? with outstretched palms, ready to receive whatever is given. with apprehension, uncertainty, fear of asking and being rejected. isn't this part of the spirit of Lent? that we share in the poverty of the least of our fellow humans, perhaps not physically and materially, but spiritually, soul-ly, heart-ly. letting go of our burdens, our grudges, our memories that we never started healing from. relinquish our hold on situations that don't go the way we planned, on circumstances that frustrate our human ways of thinking.

and we offer them all to God who is Sovereign, in control, and knows what is best for us. :) what better hands than His, for the things most precious, most impt to us? call it escapism if u wish, but i'd rather know that God is in charge and everything is His fault :P

Be blessed! :)