Faith Food Devotional: Wednesday, 8^th May, 2013

Knowing When to Let Go
by Dudley Anderson

“To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the proper answer of the tongue”. (Proverbs 16:1 N.,I.V)

Life is full of new opportunities. The scriptures tell us to make the most of every opportunity, that is, to seize the day; in everyday language: to go for it! But how do we know when to "go for it" or "let it go"?
I was once a worship leader in a large church on the outskirts of Johannesburg, South Africa. I'd been leading worship and directing the music in this church for several fruitful years when a young talented pianist joined the team. She was very musically competent and had the most amazing voice. Christine took the church by storm. But although she was very gifted, she lacked confidence. She was humble and unpretentious and I sensed no desire to take over the ministry. However, just a few months after Christine had joined the worship team I began to sense the Holy Spirit moving me on. I was in a very important position in an important church. What an opportunity I had to lead worship and play a part in the leadership of this church. And yet, "Lay it down," said the Lord. "It's time to hang up the ol' guitar." A new opportunity had presented itself an opportunity to let it go.
I had nothing to gain and everything to lose by ending my work as music director of this church. Nevertheless, as I prayed I felt the Lord was instructing me to hand over the reins to Christine. This would mean that I would sit down on Sundays while she would take centre stage. Ah, well, when God speaks.
Sometime later the Lord led my family and me to move to the UK where he opened many new wonderful opportunities both in worship leading and in Christian radio. By God's grace my life and ministry soared. God opened doors for me to broadcast into many communities across central Africa and I ended up with a radio audience in the millions. If I had been disobedient to the nudge of the Holy Spirit to hand over the music ministry in my old church in Johannesburg to Christine then I would probably not have moved and none of these great new opportunities would have come my way. However, mine was not the only success story. As young Christine took over she began to flourish. She began writing songs and recording. The church flourished and moved into new wonderful places of worship (needless to say I was still sitting in the pews when this all happened!). Christine later moved to the US where she is now one of the music directors of a large American ministry. God had a plan for us both.

God has a plan for your life, too. If you walk with your eyes on Christ and acknowledge God in everything you set your hand to do then he will direct your opportunities and the decisions that govern them, according to his plan. Sometimes you will need to go for it while other times you will need to let it go!
Knowing when to let go is important.
Don't Give Up, Look Up!
Fix Your Eyes on Jesus! He will guide my choices

Every blessing.
Dudley

Read more:

Colossians 4:5, Ephesians 5:16-17, Proverbs 4:20-27

Pray:
"Dear Lord, thank you for the many opportunities you have brought across my path. I am very grateful for your plans. Lord, I continue to acknowledge you in all that I do. I pray for wisdom in making my choices so that I will know when to go for it or let it go. Help me today as I face the many changes that I face. Only you are Lord of my life and only you are the One who guides my choices. Amen."
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"Live ready. If you have to get ready when the opportunity comes your way, you are too late. Opportunity does not wait, not even when you pray. You must not have to get ready; you must live ready." --- Smith Wigglesworth
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Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS

Used with Permission