Letting Go

As someone who sometimes wishes her life were a musical, I have an affection for the movie Frozen. It’s a fun, feel good movie where all the characters continually break into song and dance, harmonizing in all the right places. Luckily, a lot of the kids I work with share that affection and request the song “Let It Go” frequently as a soundtrack to their therapy sessions. It gives me an opportunity to unashamedly belt the lyrics, that actually fit quite nicely in my vocal range, and remember that letting go is something that God has been trying to teach me over the past couple months. Change does not come easy to me. I tend to desperately cling to what I know and stuff my anxiety below the surface until the changes can no longer be ignored. I then enter life transitions with tears and protests before surrendering to the inevitable. I often wonder, if I am content with my current state of being, why must things change?

           

I recently had the opportunity to visit one of my college roommates who is now living in Knoxville, TN. It was an amazing weekend and exactly what I needed to get away, trading the cold and snirt (snow dirt for those unfamiliar with the term) that lines the Minnesota roadways for the daffodils and Smoky Mountains that make up the landscape of eastern Tennessee. It was also great to catch up with my friend, remembering the past, enjoying the present, and discussing hopes for the future.  The great company, fresh air and sunshine did wonders to chase away my winter blues.

          

One of my favorite activities was a 12-mile hike to Mount Leconte in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park with my friend and her mom. We set out early, enjoying the crisp mountain air and the brisk pace of excitement for what the day would bring. Conversation came easy as the path at the beginning was smooth and a gradual ascent. Before we knew it, the climb became steeper, the terrain more rocky, and our pace began to slow to accommodate. The path was located primarily beneath a canopy of trees, but every once in a awhile, the sun would break through and we would come to a clearing, rewarded with a beautiful view of clear blue skies and rolling, purple mountains. As we increased in elevation, we discovered patches of ice covering the rocks and cables we used for leverage, and our pace slowed even further. 

My friend had no problem keeping up with the conversation, but as my breathing became labored with each step forward, I was content to listen and focus on not falling off the path and into the rocks 100’s of feet below.

When we reached the lodge, we continued to explore the area and paths leading to different parts of the top of the mountain. We placed a rock on the pile signifying that we were at the highest point, becoming queen of the mountain for at least a period of time.

We followed a path to the cliffs and were rewarded with a view that made the long trek worth every step and tired muscle. And then we enjoyed a picnic lunch, watching the helicopter bring much needed supplies as the lodge was set to open the following week, but weather conditions had not been conducive for the helicopter to make the necessary drops. We were blessed with an incredible day, full of clear skies and sunshine, cool enough that the bugs were still sleeping and warm enough to hike in a t-shirt (well at least this Minnesota girl did). 

The rush of being on top of the world for an hour kept us going on the long way back down, though my knees were yelling at me and the snacks in my daypack kept calling my name. It was incredible to see how different the landscape looked as we traveled back down as the sun had shifted places in the sky and we were given a different perspective. Once we arrived back at my friend’s place, her sweet husband picked up sushi and Chick-fil-a waffle fries (the things we craved) and we settled in for the evening to watch none other than Frozen.

God often uses change in our lives to push us out of our comfort zone and allow us to experience something better than what we would plan or imagine for ourselves. Just like our hike through the mountains, he begins refinement gradually, easing us into the changes and planting seeds of his faithfulness. As we continue our path of refinement, He places more challenging obstacles in our way, giving us strength to overcome, building up our confidence and faith in Him. He scatters in glimpses of what is to come, a clearing in the forest where we can feel the sun on our face and take in the beauty of what awaits the end of our climb. These glimpses propel us forward through the toughest part of the journey, the unknown of when we will arrive, is it just around the corner or still a mile away? We keep putting one foot in front of the other, drawing encouragement from those who travel with us, until we finally reach our destination. We dwell there and enjoy the fruits of our labor, refreshed and ready for the journey back down the mountain. The memory of the top and a new perspective propels us back to the place we came from. Though the place is familiar, we are forever changed by the experience of the climb.

           

At some point along the way, we must relinquish control, let go of what we know, and trust. We must trust that the path we are taking is safe and will lead us where we want to go. We must trust the people we journey with to lead and follow faithfully the path that has been set before us. And we must trust that it is worth it. I am personally entering a time of transition in my life: moving to a new place, acquiring a new roommate (my sister), acquiring a new sister (my roommate), and stepping out of my role as a small group leader for a group of amazing women that I have grown to love and care deeply for. God is asking that I let go and let Him lead me into the unknown. He has proven faithful thus far, so I will let go and get ready to experience whatever blessings he has prepared for the next journey ahead. Sometimes we have to let go of good things in order to experience the best thing.

"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep in the the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge- that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 

Now to him who is able to do immeasurable more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generation, for ever and ever! Amen."

~Ephesians 3:16-21