The Art of the Release

Goodbyes are a frequent experience for each of us. Being a missionary, enrolled at a missionary college, it can be difficult because the goodbyes come more often than not. As I reflect on my time here, I think of when I had to say goodbye to my home and the feelings that came along with that. Yet again in about two months, I will be saying goodbye to many of my BCOM family members- the sophomores. This may possibly be the last time I see them for many years, since they will be departing for their internship sites this September. But as this happens, I learn yet again to practice the constant art of letting go.

As Christians, we are meant to be completely surrendered  to Christ. He longs to be our pure focus. So in the process, He must wrench something from our grasp that we are clenching so tightly that it hinders our relationship with Him. He longs for us to live in His perfect will, yet we still try to substitute it with our imperfect plans.

A professor at Bethany terms the illustration of surrendering as “the art of the relaxed grasp.” When we clench our fists, we grow weary. The art of the relaxed grasp is leaving our hands opened up completely surrendered to Christ.

He is our all sufficient Father and he longs for us to accept this. He longs to be our Daddy that provides every single good thing for us. We must loosen our grip and say goodbye to those that are very dear to us so that in our state of loneliness, we may draw close to Him; and He may truly become our everything.

- Please be praying for the BCOM sophomore class as they will be leaving for over a year to serve overseas. -