How can I learn to let go and trust God with every area of my life?

Exodus 1:22; 2:1-9Pharaoh gave this order to all his people: “Throw every newborn Hebrew boy into the Nile River. But you may let the girls live.” . . . About this time, a man and woman from the tribe of Levi got married. The woman became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She saw that he was a special baby and kept him hidden for three months. But when she could no longer hide him, she got a basket made of papyrus reeds and waterproofed it with tar and pitch. She put the baby in the basket and laid it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile River. The baby’s sister then stood at a distance, watching to see what would happen to him. Soon Pharaoh’s daughter came down to bathe in the river, and her attendants walked along the riverbank. When the princess saw the basket among the reeds, she sent her maid to get it for her. When the princess opened it, she saw the baby. The little boy was crying, and she felt sorry for him. “This must be one of the Hebrew children,” she said. Then the baby’s sister approached the princess. “Should I go and find one of the Hebrew women to nurse the baby for you?” she asked. “Yes, do!” the princess replied. So the girl went and called the baby’s mother. “Take this baby and nurse him for me,” the princess told the baby’s mother. “I will pay you for your help.” So the woman took her baby home and nursed him.

Pharaoh’s threat meant that all male children would eventually be in danger. Moses’ parents cared for Moses as long as they could, so that he had some strength; but then they literally had to let him go and put him into God’s care as they placed him in the basket in the Nile. They showed us how to let go and trust God to care for situations that are beyond our control: We must do what we know is right to do for as long as we possibly can; then we trust God to take it from there. The more we hold onto the situation ourselves and try to control everything, the less we hold onto God. Letting go means that sometimes we serve God when we obediently stand back and watch. Moses’ mother let go of her baby’s basket on the water, but she did not let go of her care and concern for him. Because she was alert and prepared, God gave her the opportunity to do more than she ever could have hoped for. Letting go does not mean giving up. It means watching for God’s next move. So if God says to stand and watch, then we should stand and watch God at work. If he says move, then we should move with him. Both are equal in obedience and service.

Matthew 6:19-21“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.”

Matthew 13:44“The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field.”

Luke 18:22When Jesus heard his answer, he said, “There is still one thing you haven’t done. Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

James 1:17Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.

Sometimes we cling to the money, prestige, and power we have accumulated here on earth. Like a child who has found a shiny piece of trash, we cling to earthly wealth with our tiny fists, refusing to let go. Even when our heavenly Father offers a far better gift, we refuse to open our hands to receive it for fear of losing our trash. God delights in giving us good gifts, including the glorious gift of his Kingdom. In order to receive these gifts, however, we must first learn to let go.