In my last post, I shared an illustration from our youngest daughter, Chloe- about Greed. It seems that Chloe has come through again with another good illustration about life- this one observed by my beautiful wife, Andrea (so she gets the credit!).

Neither of our girls have a real security blanket.  No stuffed animal, no blanket that they cannot live without.  But recently, Chloe likes to walk around with her water bottle (our girls love water!)- and sometimes she also carriers her sippy cup.

Andrea was watching Chloe the other day, carrying both her water bottle and her sippy cup- and trying to climb up on the slide on our playset.  There was one problem- she couldn’t climb without letting go of one of her water bottles- which she was unwilling to do. Unable to get where she wanted, she settled for sitting at the bottom of the playset.

How often in life do we carry around sin, bitterness, anger, unforgiveness, and/or shame that prevents us from going where God is calling us to go? We want to develop an amazing relationship with God, or be used in powerful ways in ministry- but like Chloe, what we are holding onto prevents us from getting to God’s destination.

Paul writes,

But he [God] said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
(2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV)

In the times that I’m double clutching my past, my sin, my anger, or my insecurities- I’m reminded that God’s grace is sufficient for whatever shortcomings I have. I’m reminded to let go and let God (to use a Chrysallis/Emmaus phrase). I’m reminded to “cast my cares upon the Lord; and He will sustain you” (Psalm 55:22).

Chloe reminds us that we often have to let go of something in order to get to where God is calling us to go.

Where is God calling you? Are you going there? What prevents you from following Jesus? Are there things you need to let go of (anger, sin, shame, etc.?)?