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Letting Go






My dialogue with God sounds like a plea.  “God, if I write about death, about dying to self, about the ultimate surrender, nobody will want to read my blog posts.  I will lose my friends.” 

It’s All About Exchange
He invites me to come alongside Him and receive a new revelation about death that describes it not gruesome but exhilarating.  He places a picture in my mind; you’ve probably seen the graphic.  A little girl clutches her shabby old teddy bear with Jesus kneeling across from her asking for it with his out stretched hand.  She doesn’t see his other hand holding a huge new bear with a big red heart on it behind his back. 

He whispered the word, “Death” and confirmed it to me by a blogger friend who challenged his readers to view worldly pursuits in light of eternity.  They become less and Jesus becomes more.

And in a Women’s Bible Study, eternal life rules the discussion group and I pay attention to many voices crying out for freedom to let go of those things that no longer hold His purpose and now feel like burdens.

“Death” may not excite me like whispered words of past years but I know better.  When God reveals a new direction, I pay attention.

Fall reveals color in the dead things.  The season that serviced me once with vibrant life dies and now a new season emerges.  It’s beautiful too.


It’s like that in my life.  Those good things in the past that fed me no longer hold the same value.  I’m done with hanging on to the old when God tells me He has something new and vibrant.


Join me in the challenge to die to self.  Awe c’mon…it will be fun.



“Listen carefully: Unless a grain of wheat is buried in the ground, dead to the world, it is never any more than a grain of wheat. But if it is buried, it sprouts and reproduces itself many times over. In the same way, anyone who holds on to life just as it is destroys that life. But if you let it go, reckless in your love, you’ll have it forever, real and eternal.”  John 12:24



Comments

  1. LindaOctober 2, 2016 at 1:13 PM

    Yes, indeed! Out with the old and in with the new. God knows our needs even before we ask, and He blesses us in every season. Lovely post, thank you so much for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  2. bettyOctober 2, 2016 at 2:46 PM

    I definitely will join you, I need to let go of some things and die to myself and the world, I get so caught up in my own problems, I forget why I am really here, to help further God's kingdom and become , more like him.

    Betty

    ReplyDelete
  3. CeilOctober 2, 2016 at 3:13 PM

    HI Mary! I have often thought that the Lord shows us the beauty in aging and even death through the vibrant colors of the fall leaves. Such a creative way to show the joy in transitions.
    You mentioned 'exchange' and that's a great way to see it too. Exchanging one idea for a better one. One life for a better one. It is challenging!
    Blessings,
    Ceil

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousOctober 2, 2016 at 6:16 PM

    Awesome post, Mary. So much wisdom and honesty in your words. The time away was well spent… except for that one meeting!

    Good to think in an eternal perspective. Thanks for that too. Almost as sweet as the biscotti...

    ReplyDelete
  5. RCUBEsOctober 2, 2016 at 7:38 PM

    I'm in even with a post abouy death ;) Liked the humor in your dialogue witb God.

    I think because we don't know much about the other side that it's easier to worry or even avoid talking about it. But knowing the truth about it comes from Jesus alone, then that destination is secured! God was telling me something this morn, too when I happened to notice the dead parts from our house plants. May we always be still and hear His Voice and discern what He wants us to say or do. Because only the things of God matter especially in this place. I like that..."less of me...more of Jesus..." Nice to hear from you again sister. Blessings..

    ReplyDelete
  6. RCUBEsOctober 2, 2016 at 7:39 PM

    I'm in even with a post abouy death ;) Liked the humor in your dialogue witb God.

    I think because we don't know much about the other side that it's easier to worry or even avoid talking about it. But knowing the truth about it comes from Jesus alone, then that destination is secured! God was telling me something this morn, too when I happened to notice the dead parts from our house plants. May we always be still and hear His Voice and discern what He wants us to say or do. Because only the things of God matter especially in this place. I like that..."less of me...more of Jesus..." Nice to hear from you again sister. Blessings..

    ReplyDelete
  7. CherylOctober 2, 2016 at 8:59 PM

    Oh, I SO understand the yearning of your heart! He must increase, I must decrease. Oh, the ways He is teaching my family and me to die out to self in this season! Your post really, really resonated with me, sweet friend. So happy to see that you are back...and more in love with Jesus than ever before! Sending you much love and many blessings!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Lux G.October 2, 2016 at 10:26 PM

    I’m done with hanging on to the old when God tells me He has something new and vibrant. <= a resounding yes!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Mevely317October 3, 2016 at 3:24 PM

    Goodness, you've given me pause. Given the year waning, this message is certainly timely.

    Yes, I immediately remembered that moving graphic about the little girl and the teddy bear. So true.

    I need to remember to anticipate and expect good more often, and fear less.

    ReplyDelete
  10. a joyful noiseOctober 3, 2016 at 10:47 PM

    I agree that some topics are difficult to write about, and death is one. However this world is NOT our home, and we are just passing through and death will take us on to something better. While here, the dying to self is always a hard one accept, but we must go through the process to become more like Jesus. Thank you so very much for sharing with us here at Tell me a Story.

    ReplyDelete
  11. bailiOctober 4, 2016 at 12:43 AM

    See you love your friends it means you LOVE THE LIFE .
    thinking or talking about death is not unnatural thing but take it just a FACT that you got life and you will get death even after so many years when scientist will make people able to live for thousands of years they also will taste the death because the Game that we are left to play is designed by creator or nature whatever you call it and no one can escape the laws made by it so face the reality and enjoy your LIFE till your last breath after which you will enter the new phase of being .
    loved your last para most

    ReplyDelete
  12. Creations By CindyOctober 5, 2016 at 6:23 AM

    We just discussed recently about us becoming less so He could become more and it goes right along with dying to self. May we all strive to be more like Jesus and less of ourselves. Enjoyed this post sweet lady. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

    ReplyDelete
  13. Marilyn @ MountainTopSpiceOctober 7, 2016 at 6:29 PM

    You are right where the Lord desires all of His children to be... in a place beyond ourselves, when we let go of all that we hold dear in this life, and cling to Him. I pray that the Lord does a sweet and powerful work in your life at this crossroads. Never say no to what He is asking of you... for His ways are not our ways. Hugs to you my dear friend... it is a joy for me to read the words you write, because I know the Lord never asks us these things without something greater waiting to be released upon our surrender. Let go... and let God be God :)

    ReplyDelete

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