my story

i have a tattoo on my inner right ankle. i’ve had it for a little over a year now, and to this day it sometimes means more to me than it did on the day i went to the tattoo shop.

back then, it may have looked reckless or emotional to get something permanently marked on my body in the thrill of the moment. however, the words i have inked onto my skin forever run so deep and hold so much weight.

the following story is personal and special to me. it is something that i came across while having quiet time a few months ago, and i still think about it so often. it’s a parable told by Jesus, found in Mark 10–a man who comes to him with open arms and a willing heart, or so he thinks.

Jesus fixed his gaze upon the man, with tender love, and said to him, “yet there is still one thing in you lacking: go sell all that you have and give the money to the poor. then all of your treasure will be in heaven. after you’ve done this, come back and walk with me.” [mark 10:21-22, tpt]

Jesus sees what we hold onto. this passage can be easily overlooked by those who don’t really have a money problem, but it speaks so much deeper than that. hear me out.

this man came to Jesus with what he thought was an open heart, and Jesus expressed gentle, caring love for him. he could see the man’s loyalty and genuine devotion to the Lord. but he could also see what this man was refusing to let go of.

the thing is, Jesus can’t fully meet us where we’re at if we tell Him we’re somewhere else. he will never stop loving us, and he will wait for us in a patient way that we can’t even understand, but no matter how much we want to see breakthrough happen in our lives, it isn’t going to happen until we let go.

surrender is such an easy word to claim, but it is challenging to actually live out.

we think vulnerability is going to happen as soon as we enter the presence of God.

we think that opening up and letting go will be simple until he asks us to release that one thing.

+that one hope.
+that one possession.
+that one feeling.
+that one aspiration.

for whatever reason, our hearts seem to be holding onto this thread for dear life. maybe it even seems like without this thing life cannot continue the same way.

but that’s the point.

when we finally are able to fully surrender every piece of our hearts to the father, our lives do not simply continue comfortably like before. but the comfort of walking in the grace of God is so worth it. the passage continues as Jesus says in verse 27 (nlt),

“humanly speaking, it is impossible. but not with God. everything is possible with God.”

he then goes on to encourage his followers by explaining that anyone who sacrifices important parts of themselves for the purpose of pleasing and honoring the Lord will not only get it back but that and so much more.

the concept of letting go is such a simple but equally intimidating one. it takes strength and courage to be completely honest with yourself and with God about where you’re at and what your heart is holding onto. but I promise that this road is one that leads not only to deliverance but also the open door for God to take you further into the position he wants you in. he tells us in II corinthians 12:9:

“my grace is more than enough for you, and my power finds its full expression in your weakness.”

how precious is it to have a God who delights in our humanity?

the Lord is so faithful, and he works best when he sees that we are vulnerable before him. let yourself be weak.

walk through the heartbreak. give it all up–God has something so much more significant planned.

step into the unknown. let go of control–he’s not going to lose you.

he will sustain you.

walking surrendered is walking weak. but it builds up our faith and allows us to experience so much more. my own experiences have shown me that i hold tightly to things. i hate change, and i fear loss. my mind wants to be able to control what i own [love, the approval of others, dreams, my future, etc.]. this passage helped me understand that we truly own nothing in the kingdom of God. it’s all his. and if we trust him–meaning we have to give control to him–he will return to us what’s going to be most fulfilling. the best part: it’s always going to turn out better than what we could have done on our own.

that’s it! thanks for reading,

alex

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