Pause and Release
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We’re talking about hitting pause, in this little stretch between Christmas and New Year. We learned to pause and rest, to pause and reflect on good and bad times, but let’s remember that once we’ve done this, we need to pause and release 2024 into the hands of God and let go.
Learning to Let Go
Generally in the Bible we are told not to look back too much. There are moments where we are told to reflect, but we are also cautioned not to look back if it's going to cause us to get caught up in the past—like Lot who was warned with these words: "Now run to save your life! Don't look back at the city, and don't stop anywhere in the valley. Run until you are in the mountains. If you stop, you will be destroyed with the city!" (Genesis 19:17)
Don't pause, don't look back, just run! Maybe that's how you're thinking about 2024—you just want to run and leave it in the past. But friends, I don't think that is wise, because when we do that we end up dragging the past with us. If we don't deal with it, we drag it with us like baggage.
Learning from Experience
Look at Proverbs 16:20 - "Good things happen to those who learn from their experiences, and the LORD blesses those who trust Him."
I think we pause in moments like this and look back, so that we can learn the lessons we need to learn from the past, and leave the rest behind. If I'm not careful, I could go into 2025:
Resentful and bitter because of pain experienced this year.
Resentful and bitter because of the slow nature of change and progress.
Resentful and bitter because of conflict, difficulties and challenges.
But I have to release these things. I have to let them go and release them to God! If I choose not to learn from these things, but just to hold onto them, they will destroy 2025 before it's even begun!
What to Release
As you hit pause today, do you need to take time:
To release your resentment and bitterness and pain to God?
Or to forgive somebody who owes you?
Or to release your anger towards God for not healing you, or not healing somebody special to you?
Or to release your frustration at another year that didn't go the way you planned?
Or to unburden your soul, before the year starts and you're still holding onto these things?
I don't know what 2024 was for you. But I do know that it wasn't the end of your story.
I don't know what pain you faced in 2024. But I do know that God doesn't want it to destroy you.
I don't know what you're carrying but I do know that you can bring it to the cross today and release it to God in faith and find freedom!
And so my friends, hit pause! And may you release 2024 into the hands of God, as it comes to a close.
