Dear Writer, I hope you had a beautiful week leaned into the dance God has with you! This week, we’re going to look at one critical aspect of partnering with God’s grace for us. That is the ability to release.
You see, writer, we all have battles and failings. But if we carry those things and allow them to define us, they will prevent us from entering into all God has planned. Learning to release our battles, fears, and failures is an important first step in grabbing hold of God’s grace.
But before we dive in, let’s look at some others whose ability to release transformed their lives and legacy…
Release in History
John Adams and Thomas Jefferson are a great example of men who were able to release. Each stood alongside the other during the founding of our nation. But as the republic grew, so did their differences. In time, they became vocal enemies, until they ceased communication altogether. How could two men dedicated to the same cause become estranged? It was a simple case of holding onto the wrong things.
At last, a mutual friend intervened. At his prompting, Adams and Jefferson reconciled, releasing their past battle and failings to acknowledge what remained true. Their deep love for their country and sincere respect, admiration, and care for one another. Records of their renewed correspondence are an amazing testimony of the power of forgiveness.
You see, writer, the worst obstacle to God’s grace is often what we withhold from others. Or sometimes, even from ourselves. When we withhold forgiveness, we’re tormented by the very thing we hold. The good news? Release begins with a simple choice. Just like it did with Adams and Jefferson.
Release in the Bible
Another beautiful example of release is Gideon. The angel of the Lord found Gideon hiding in his father’s wine press. The angel called Gideon a “mighty man of valor” and appointed him to rescue Israel from the Midianites. But before Gideon stepped into that call, he had to release his opinion of his own insignificance. He also had to release his disappointment in God’s seeming absence during Midianite oppression.
God graciously confirmed His word to Gideon, and as Gideon released his disappointment in God and in himself, he won impossible victories and set Israel free.
You see, writer, sometimes what we need to release is our perspective. There are many ways we allow life experiences to dictate our view of God and of ourselves. Learning to accept God’s view over our own is a key first step in partnering with His unique grace for us.
Release in Life
I learned to release when I won a competition that required me to speak before a large group of strangers. I had never imagined winning, and the thought of speaking terrified me. I went the competition director and said, “I can’t speak to a crowd! What do I do?” The director kindly encouraged me to present what I felt most passionate about to the group. “I’ve found most people can speak about what they’re passionate about,” he said.
He was right. And, though that first step felt shaky, it was a step onto the path that grew me into the speaker I am today.
Release in Your Life
Sometimes the thing we need to release is simply our “can’t” and the false identity it springs from. You see, when God created us, He also prepared works specially made for us to do. The problem is many of us balk at step one because it doesn’t fit our self concept. Learning to release and grab hold of God’s grace is really about giving our Father full freedom to define who we are. When we do that, He meets us in that space in powerful ways. Let me show you…
-
- Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. – Psalm 139:16
- For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. – Ephesians 2:10
- From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. – 2 Corinthians 5:16-21
You see, writer, sometimes we struggle to receive God’s grace, direction, and opportunities for our lives because our mind and heart are simply too cluttered with our own opinions of Him, us, others, and life. It’s in learning to release those things that we begin to see Him for who He truly is and to accept His unique call and design for us. Sometimes, as we begin to release, leaving what we’ve known can feel a little nerve-wracking. But the freedom He’s created for us on the other side is too good to pass up. Because here’s the deal…
Freedom in our lives means He’ll be able to minister that freedom through us to touch others too.
Where to Start with Release
So are you ready to take a look at what you might need to release? Here are some initial thoughts to get you started…
-
- People. To begin, prayerfully consider if there is anyone you need to forgive, including yourself. Write down every name that comes to mind. Then, I encourage you to pray and verbally forgive each person, releasing them from all expectation of repayment. Finally, ask God to heal your emotions. Because here’s the thing. Forgiveness is an act of the will, not an emotion. Which is good news! Most often, those deep hurts heal over time as we continually choose to forgive while asking for God’s help to heal the wounded places.
- Identity. The second thing to release is often our own idea of who we think we are. Again and again, when God called men and women, their first protest was that they weren’t fit for such a call. As if God was clearly a poor chooser! One critical key to step into God’s grace is to begin to agree with His opinion of us. In areas where you struggle to do this, find scriptures that speak to your God-given identity and outline His promises to us. Personalize these promises and pray and speak them regularly over yourself. Also, ask God to help you recognize those moments are tempted disagree with Him and to come back quickly into alignment with Him.
- Disappointment. At times, what we need to release is disappointment with God, Himself, for the times life didn’t turn out as expected. You see, when we become offended with God, it’s difficult to trust His goodness in our present circumstances. If you find yourself struggling to trust God’s goodness, I encourage you, first, to be honest with Him. He already knows what’s in your heart, but He can’t heal the loss we won’t honestly and fully bring to Him. Second, as you surrender that loss, forgive Him and ask for His forgiveness. Resolve that He is just and fair. Ask Him to help you understand His heart. You may need the help of mature believers to walk through this, but it’s worth every step. Because here’s the thing…
God can only fill the space we create for Him. When we allow these idols unforgiveness, wrong identity, and offense to remain, it’s not that He withholds His blessing. It’s simply that we don’t have the capacity to receive all He’s trying to give us or to recognize the doors He’s opening. Because here’s the real deal…
How can two walk together unless they are agreed? (Amos 3:3) When we don’t align our hearts and minds with God’s opinion of us, we will cut the feet out from under every blessing He tries to give us. But here’s the wonderful thing: instead of laboring to “get to the right spot” with God, beginning to agree with God comes through this simple act of release. When we take that first step, God’s grace rushes in.
Just like it did in Adams and Jefferson’s restored relationship and legacy. Just like it did in Gideon’s obedience and the lasting witness of his faith. Just like it did, as God not only met me in my moment of need, but also moved me into a calling I never realized existed. And He’ll do the same for you, too.
So I encourage you today, writer, if you’ve found yourself stuck, prayerfully consider what you might need to release to Him. He has joy unspeakable and full of glory on the other side for you and for all He’s called you to reach.
#release #forgiveness #surrender #trust #identity #EveryWriterWriting
Want to Learn More?
