Most of us like to be in control of our plans and expectations. Lent, however, invites us to let go of that need and open ourselves to God’s grace. Surrender might feel frightening, but it isn’t the same as losing. In God’s kingdom, letting go of control leads to real freedom and opens our lives to God’s grace.
The Heavy Burden of Control
We spend a lot of time planning for the future and trying to manage our relationships. Planning has its place. But if you only trust your own perspective, you can end up exhausted. The writer of Proverbs gives us a different path:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take” – Proverbs 3:5–6.
Trusting God means admitting you don’t have all the answers. When you depend only on yourself, you carry burdens you were never meant to bear. But if you give your fears, worries, and problems to God, He will carry them for you. All He asks is that you trust Him.
Trading Our Trophies for His Grace
It’s not always bad things that keep us from God. Sometimes, good things take the wrong place in our lives. We might try to find our identity in our work, reputation, money, or achievements. The Apostle Paul understood this well. He had an impressive resume of religious achievements. Yet, when he encountered the grace of Jesus, his entire perspective shifted.
I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ” – Philippians 3:7-8.
Paul realized his achievements were holding him back. When he let go of his own success and pride, he received something far greater: the righteousness that comes from God through faith.
In this third week of Lent, let’s consider what we need to release. When we let go of pride and the urge to always be right, we make space in our hearts for God’s amazing grace.
Taking Up the Cross of Surrender
Jesus was crystal clear about following Him:
If any of you wants to be My follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow Me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for My sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?” – Matthew 16:24–26.
Taking up the cross means surrendering and setting aside our own plans for God’s will. The gospel teaches that real life comes when we let go of control. Holding on too tightly leads to fear. But surrendering brings new life in Christ.
Walking Forward in Open-Handed Trust
As you go through this season of Lent, let each moment of opening your hands remind you that letting go brings grace. Keep your hands open, let go of anxiety, and trust the One who holds your future. When you let go, you make space for God’s gentle grace.
Lord, I confess I hold on so tightly, and sometimes I’m scared to let go. My plans, worries, and future feel like lifelines, but they leave me tired. Today, may I open myself to You. I give You my fears, my deepest hopes, and my hidden worries. Please give me the courage to follow Your way, even when it’s hard. Fill the empty places in me with Your healing, overflowing grace. Amen.