You may know the lyrics to “Something Beautiful, Something Good,” written by Gloria Gaither as,
“Something beautiful, something good
All my confusion, He understood
All I had to offer Him was brokenness and strife
But he made something beautiful of my life”.
Did you know that there is more to this hymn?
“If there ever were dreams that were lofty and noble
They were my dreams at the start
And hope for life’s best were the hopes that I harbor down deep in my heart
But my dreams turned to ashes, and my castles all crumbled, and my fortune turned to loss
So I wrapped it all in the rags of life and laid it at the cross.”
There are times when all we can do is hold on to memories of times when we seemingly had everything under control. We felt we were out of harm’s way, and we hoped and prayed that we might have learned a thing or two from such experiences that would guide us successfully through the next chapter of our lives. And although our mistakes will always be just that, we will have plenty of those that will be challenging enough to strengthen us and help us grow stronger, better, and wiser, into what God has in store for us.
But, how do we let go, and what good can come from doing so? Letting go creates space for growth and allows new and greater things to blossom in the new space. Letting go will enable God to step in and make of all that is seemingly impossible possible. Letting go is trusting that God will care for all and all that was entrusted to us by God to begin with. Letting go of everything else is letting God.
Letting go is not only a human trait. It is also divine. God lets go of the throne to establish a kingdom of unity in which there is “neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for [we] are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28).
God establishes a long-term relationship with us through Jesus; an eternal bond between Creator and Creature (John 3:16). Jesus lets go of His hometown, family and friends to follow the will of God (Luke 22:42). Jesus lets go of the 99 in search for the one that is lost (Matthew 18:12). Jesus sets aside the law of the day of rest to heal and to proclaim good news to the poor, to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free (Luke 4:18). God lets go of our sins so that in forgiveness and mercy we may find grace and experience the freedom that comes from the glory of God (Isaiah 1:18, Psalm 103:11, 12; I John 1:9). The Holy Spirit lets the winds blow where it wills so that we may be born of the Spirit (John 3:8).
God creates the space for us to let go of our anxieties, fears, doubts, and worries. As we turn these over to God, an overwhelming feeling of peace fills our being, and a newborn vision aligns with truth and hope, and love reconciles us with God, ourselves, and others. A newborn faith sees us through the toughest of times.
Recently, we have found ourselves letting go of one of our most significant, meaningful, and transformational ministries in Noah’s Ark Christian Day Care and Preschool. What made this letting go so difficult is the fact that the members of the Noah’s Ark Board could not find a person that would be willing to continue the mission and ministry of Noah’s Ark with the same love, dedication, passion, and care as the Director/Head Teacher that inspired so many children and parents.
Through various communication outlets, including the Greater New Jersey Conference website and the Skylands District Newsletter, efforts to recruit for the outgoing staff were unsuccessful. Many, especially those starting younger families, are looking for jobs with security and health benefits, something that the Noah’s Ark Board was unable to satisfy due to limited funding and the need for a director, head teacher, and treasurer. The outpouring of love and gratitude displayed by parents and alumni on Noah’s Ark Facebook page is a living testament to the outstanding and transformational ministry of the school. Dare we say that finding a similar school with success stories near or far will be challenging.
As hard as it is, it is now time to let go and trust that in all things God works together with those who love him to bring about what is good (Romans 8:28). What does God have in store for Butler United Methodist Church, the Education Building, and the community? It is now time to take a deep breath, let go, and together discover what God has for us next. One thing we do know is that we must remain in tune with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, follow Jesus’ lead in mission and ministry, and keep and increase our faith and trust in God in the process, because “something beautiful, something good” is coming!
Have a blessed summer!
In Christ,
Pastor Iraida