Let go of the old - take hold of the new

 

Let go of the old, take hold of the new. A friend send me a message to let me know this saying was communistic propaganda back in the day. 

I thought about it, and circled back to my firm belief that everything belongs to the Lord. Paul wrote these words some 2000 years before the communistic party came along. Saying:'Not that I have already attained this – that is, I have not already been perfected – but I strive to lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus also laid hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have attained this. Instead I am single-minded: Forgetting the things that are behind and reaching out for the things that are ahead,with this goal in mind, I strive toward the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus'(Philippians 3:12-16).

For Paul the prize was not only earthly gain, but deeply tied to his relationship with Christ Jesus and the heavenly prize involved. He wanted to please the Lord by letting go of certain things and take hold of new things. 

Sometimes we need to let go of things. But by being wise and with godly discernment this decision needs to be made. What do I keep, and what to let go? What is part of God's plan and what is not? You may ask me how do one discern? Start with the question is it biblical or not? That may sift things. 

Then there are things that pass without human intervention, like a day, a month, a year, a season of life. We cannot hold on to these, but we can embrace the new. 

Lastly, I would say the motive behind everything will help with discernment - what motivates my decision - is it love? 

Do I want to please the Lord Jesus by letting go of some things and taking hold of new things? You decide.