Letting Go

Letting Go

Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost

September 28, 2014

Exodus 17:1-7

Philippians 2:1-13

Friends, I stand before you this morning to admit I’m imperfect. I know, I know you’re all thinking “that cant be possible” but it is! And I think this is the beauty for each of us as we sit here this morning, imperfection. Now don’t get me wrong imperfection doesn’t mean wrong or bad, rather it means unlimited potential, possibility and opportunity. While some of our imperfection is things that cant be helped, the other part is because we cant let go of preconceived notions and ideals of how life, situations, etc SHOULD be.

In our Old Testament today we find the Israelites who we have read about all month. We find them today still at the beginning of their journey in the wilderness. These people had spent generations in slavery and the Lord sent Moses to help them break free. After numerous plagues orchestrated by God Pharaoh let them go. Yet as they were leaving, tasting a bit of freedom, Pharaoh changed his mind and sent his soldiers after them. Still God provided and allowed Moses to split the red sea so that these Israelites could get to freedom. We find them in todays reading several months and miles into their journey. God had provided them with food and water when their supplies ran out but these people were tired. I can imagine that many people were asking “Are we there yet?” These hungry, thirsty and tired people were frustrated, scared, and feeling unsure in the man and the God they had put their trust in.

 “Is the Lord with us or not?”

They became dissatisfied with the direction things were going. They expected their new beginning to be filled with blessings and pretty things.  They began to wonder if God had even heard their prayers. They quickly forgot all God had done to bring them to this place of freedom. Rather they went to Moses filled with imagined wrongs and unrealistic expectations because they had no idea what was happening, and the unknown is terrifying.

Like the Israelites we sometimes let our situations influence our faith in God. In the moment we get so wrapped up we forget to remember the amazing things God has done, is doing and will do. This cry for proof of Gods presence is a challenge to Gods authority and love for us. God who has provided for these people, time and time again is being question. Yet God in his infinite mercy understands that our humanness causes us to want proof, even when there is no reason not to trust in the Lord. So God provides fresh water, in the presence of the elders. And Moses names the place after this encounter as a reminder for all of  this point in their journey.

Friends when we ask this question about God we are putting human limitations on an almighty God. We are asking for miracles but telling God to do it according to OUR parameters. We need to let go of this mindset, if we don’t we don’t allow God to work through us. Why wouldn’t God be with us?

Our Philippians passage is the answer to this question from the Israelites. The answer is a resounding YES. God is with us, God is standing with us as we go through good and bad times, God is leading, guiding and walking alongside us on this journey called life. In this passage we see that Paul is giving advice to the community in Philippi. We don’t know what the problem is or how extensive the hurts are but we have the words of Paul. These people, and us today, are called to adopt the attitude of Jesus. Jesus the friend to the poor and needy.  Jesus who eats with sinners and tax collectors, Jesus who preaches the word of God unashamed.

When we adopt the attitude of Christ we allow the work of God to be carried out in this world. We let go of trying to please those around us. We let go of the parameters set for us by society. We let go and let in the amazingness that is God. How we interact with one another changes for the better and we are able to make decisions that benefit everyone not just “me”.

I am letting go of the societal expectations of being a woman, of being in my 20s, of being in ministry. I need to let go because when I let go I let in God.

Is the Lord with us or not? Yes, yes, yes! God is waiting for us to unabashedly throw up our hands and release the things that control us. We need to let go of the hold society has on us, we need to embrace being imperfect creatures who serve a perfect God. In the words of Paul we need to “actually live out Gods good purposes”. As you go through this week I ask you to let go, God is waiting, wont you trust?

Amen