Devotional 4-5-12

Hang On…or Not

Our oldest son Grant was born in early June. A couple of cool things come along with a birthday slotted here on the calendar. As elementary, middle and high school progressed, school was often released for the summer just before his birthday, just after his birthday and on one particular year actually on his birthday – not even a pony from Mom and Dad could have topped that. We as a family would also take our vacation near this time. The year Grant turned thirteen we happened to be at Myrtle Beach. As we stood in the surf and got cooled by the rushing water, a boat sped by between us and the horizon. Trailing behind the boat was a parachute attached to the boat by a rope…parasailing. I looked at Grant and said, “Would you be afraid to do that?” His reply, “Oh no Dad! That would be AWESOME.” Uh oh. Time to put up or shut up.

Using the conveniently placed phone number on the parachute, Kim and I made the arrangements, and on the way to dinner that night let Grant in on news that he was going to parasail for his birthday. Remember, he’s thirteen. You don’t suppose they are going to let him go up alone, do you? Fast forward; he and I are out on the speed boat ready to launch. As they strap us in, they choose that moment to reveal a few key pieces of safety information about what to do if the boat sinks and we are still attached to it, and what to do if the rope becomes disengaged from the boat. (Maybe sharing all that BEFORE we got to the boat would result in too many canceled excursions.) We stayed the course and soon were hovering at 500 feet in the air surveying all around us. We were sitting side-by-side, much as kids sit in swings on a playground. Our feet were dangling and our hands were at ear level, holding on for dear life. All of the sudden Grant says, almost alarmed, “DAD! We should have brought a camera.” As I looked over at him, examining my white knuckles and his white knuckles, I fixed my gaze on his face I said, “You know, Bear, I saw those water proof cameras when we checked in – I just don’t know which hand we would use to take the picture.” Neither one of us would have been willing to let go. No aerial shots to remember our trip.

What things in our lives are we holding to so tightly that we are unwilling to let go? Afraid to let go.
I like to ride my bicycle. I’m 6’4” and ride a bike conspicuously label XL. I make a pretty good target for a cross wind, a pot hole or a rock in the road looking to knock a rider from his perch. As a result, I keep both hands (sometimes white knuckled) firmly on the handlebars. Things need to happen during a ride. Things that require ‘a hand’. Waving at an oncoming cyclist. Hand signals that tell others in the group behind you that there is debris in the road. And the all important drink of water. Trust me when I say NONE of this can happen unless you are willing to let go.

The disciples sometimes had trouble letting go. Letting go of their past in favor of a ‘Jesus future’. Then letting go of their idea of that ‘Jesus future’ for what Jesus really meant. On the Mount of Transfiguration it must have been beautiful. So wonderful that the three disciples wanted to stay. “Yo Boss. This is pretty cool. Let’s pitch some tents and just chill here.” Let’s not let go of this and move to the next thing. Peter hung on while facing off with Jesus about his death. He didn’t want to let go of the earthly Jesus in order to take hold of the heavenly Jesus. Judas hung onto a Jesus riding a war horse leading a powerful army. Jesus hung on – right up to the moment he let go of his life for us.

To what do we cling, white knuckled, unable to see beyond our grasp? A grudge, a memory, an idea. With both hands so tightly clinched we make it impossible to receive; a picture, a drink of water, a new idea, forgiveness.

(as seen on bumper stickers and plaques) LET GO and LET GOD.

Steve Matthews