While the idea of letting go is good and all, don’t dismiss the notion of holding on either. Hold on to good, hold onto what you desire, what makes you to grow, and most especially, hold onto yourself.
A few months ago, I attended a night service at my church and that is when I was called to hold on to who I am. I remember sitting down in a row not too far from the front when all of a sudden the guest pastor we had speaking that night came up to me, looked me directly in the eye and said, “You need to stand permanent. Make your declaration. Don’t let people question who you are or give you your own definition of who you are. Put a stamp on your life and make it distinct. Don’t leave trash in your life; pick it up. Don’t let things just happen, plan!” Now I may have missed out on a few other lines because I was taken a bit back by his candor and boldness but t after a while I understood what he meant.
God has so much in store for me - for all of us - but I’m never going to see it if I don’t clear all the things in my way. Moments in life are gonna come in and move your life so far off path that you won’t know which way is left. There are going to be situations when it feels like the opposing force has won and the best thing to do is surrender. To all of that, I say NO. Make a stand for yourself and remain strong in it. Even to all the great and good-intentioned suggestions, it’s okay to say no. Know what you want, know who you are and forge on.
You might think, what if Susie doesn’t like it or I wonder what Jamie will say to me now. It’s okay if people cannot accept your growth. Be you and the right people will come. Not only that, but the right things like moments and opportunities will find themselves at your feet ready to fall into place. Stop working so hard for a fake fit when you can have a solid deal in the easiest way possible - being you. It might take sometime in the beginning because truthfully told it does take so much courage to be who you are. Fortunately, staying on that path is worth the fight and the time spent.
I just want to share a song that rings so true to me and I hope it helps you too. It’s by one of my all time favorite bands, Needtobreathe. It’s called Slumber (click on the image below to listen to the song).
Days they force you
Back under those covers
Lazy mornings they multiply
But glory’s waiting
Outside your window
So wake on up from your slumber
Baby, open up your eyes
Tongues are violent
Personal and focused
Tough to beat with
Your steady mind
But hearts are stronger after broken
So, wake on up from your slumber
Baby, open up your eyes
All these victims
Stand in line for
The crumbs that fall from the table
Just enough to get by
All the while
Your invitation
Wake on up from your slumber
Baby, open up your eyes
Wake on up from your slumber
Baby, open up your eyes
Take from vandals
All you want now
Please, don’t trade it in for life
Replace the feeble
With the fable
Wake on up from your slumber
Baby, open up your eyes
Wake on up from your slumber
Baby, open up your eyes
All these victims
Stand in line for
The crumbs that fall from the table
Just enough to get by
All the while
Your invitation
Wake on up from your slumber
Baby, open up your eyes
Wake on up from your slumber
Baby, open up your eyes
Come on
Sing like we used to
Dance when you want to
Taste of the breakthrough
And open wide
All these victims
Stand in line for
The crumbs that fall from the table
Just enough to get by
All the while
Your invitation
Wake on up from your slumber
Baby, open up your eyes
Wake on up from your slumber
Baby, open up your eyes
Wake on up from your slumber
Baby, open up your eyes
Come on
Sing like we used to
And dance like you want to
Come on now and open your eyes
Come on
Sing it like we used to
And we’ll dance like we want to
Come on and open up your eyes