A while ago a friend posted on Facebook that during a Sunday message her pastor declared to the congregation that he would meet them where they were but that he loved them too much to leave them there.
In reading her post, what resonated with me was the thought that something was not wanted from them but that more was wanted for them.
As I typed that, I imagined Jesus kneeling down and looking us in the eyes, gently and lovingly saying this to us as well. Time and time again in the Bible, when someone was asked to 'give up' or release something dear to them, it was replaced with something much more than they could have thought, asked or imagined. This prompted the recollection of a cartoon drawing I once saw of a little girl clinging tightly to a small teddy bear while facing Jesus, who was kneeling down looking her in the eyes while holding a huge teddy bear behind His back. He had his hand outreached as if asking the little girl to hand Him the stuffed animal she was clenching tightly and lovingly to her chest. What she did not realize was that Jesus was asking for her bear so He could exchange it for the much larger one He had behind His back. She just needed to trust Him, and if she did, He would replace what she 'lost' or 'gave up' with something so much better...but all she was aware of in the moment was her impending loss; that she was being asked to relinquish something dear and precious to her.
How many time are we like the little girl, clinging so desperately to what is in front of us and within our reach because we cannot see what is waiting for us beyond our reach? So often we cling to what is before us because it is tangible, familiar and known. That does not mean, however, that our current <fill in the blank>, (i.e. relationship, job, weight, situation, etc.), is God's best or all He has for us, as much as we sometimes trick ourselves into thinking or believing. And, the choice does not always have to be between good or bad; sometimes it is a choice between better and best. It feels cruel when what we view as the 'fitting' solution - a healing from cancer, the intended child to adopt, that great job prospect, or that amazing guy or girl - eludes us. We question, doubt, and even get angry with being denied that one thing we wanted, prayed, and wished for with all of our heart. What I am learning, however, is that despite the heartbreak, the best outcome or answer is not always going to be the one that is obvious to us or the one we desired. For example, when the cancer isn't healed, it is the legacy, influence, and impact of a loved one on and in our and others' lives that is magnified when the loved one is gone. You could say it comes down to the posture you are willing to have or take when faced with the choice between releasing or retaining.
Will your posture be one of clenching, clinging, and gripping intensely to what you have? Or, when faced with the unknown, will you open your heart and hand to all the possibilities of what could be waiting for you around the corner, down the road, and in your future? When your hand and heart is closed, you are unable to receive. There is even a physical difference felt, per se, between the two positions. Don't believe me? Hold out your hand and form a fist, clenching it tightly. Now, open your hand and release all the tension. Feel the difference? You can even feel it in your heart as well.
God desires the best for us, just as we desire the best for our children, family, friends, and for ourselves. We just need to trust and be open and willing to trade or exchange our will, plan and known for His will, plan and that which is yet to be revealed. So, what stance will you take with your life and your heart, even when you do not or cannot see what is waiting for you? Will you clench to hold tight or will you be open to receive?
