Have you ever felt that life has become too crowded, heavy or wieldy to manage, as the slow accumulation of life’s physical and emotional responsibilities leave you with a heaviness that steals your energy and motivation?
Those of you who have been following me, will know that this year, much of my thinking has been around loosening & lightening, as I try to follow the whispers of God to let go of old ways & processes that have served well in the past but no longer work in this season of my life.
Just as a bulb needs to be lifted tenderly from old soil and replanted to bloom again, we sometimes need to loosen our grip on things that no longer nourish us.
God often prepares us for new growth by asking us to release all that weighs us down- and I have found over the years that I can often be reluctant to release what has previously given me life, even if I know deep down that it is time to move on.
Accumulated belongings can quietly drain both energy and clarity.
My clutter is often the result of procrastination and postponed decisions.
Holding onto things “just in case” reveals a scarcity mindset rather than trusting in God’s provision.
The inner weight of my holding on to all that needs to go, may be through
– fear of change
– past disappointments
– perfectionism
– or a sense of identity connected with old seasons of life
I wonder if there are things that I am carrying with me through this season, that God may be asking me to release and surrender to Him?
It is taking me a long time to work out what this means both practically and spiritually as I try to be open to a different way of working, and I’m not moving forward as quickly as I would like!
Recently, though, I’ve accepted that this slower way is probably better.
This way there is space to pause and make considered, and hopefully prayerful decisions about what to release, and what to keep, and time to acknowledge failings for not letting go sooner or acting on the increasingly urgent whispers of God. There is time to be encouraged and energised as I make inroads into the many “letting go’s” as I explore this new way forward.
How might I make space to pause and pray to hear God more clearly?
As I gradually release things that have served me well in the past, but are no longer fit for this season of life, I am learning more of what nourishes my soul in this season.
Sometimes we assume that what has served us well in the past will continue to in the present, yet this is not always so. New ways of nourishing both body and soul may be needed as we change and journey through life.
How might I examine what nourishes me now, and will help me to grow deeper in faith and life?
It is exhausting going through all that you have done in the past, as you deal with procrastination and avoidance when the task seems too onerous to tackle. Once begun, it’s easy to be hindered with hordes of memories, distracting questions of “what if’s” and the difficulties of deciding what to do with all that you have decided to ditch!
The best way I have found is to break the task down into small manageable chunks.
This way, it feels slow, but still progress, nonetheless.
I’m already finding that God has honoured this letting go so far, confirming for me that this is the right way forward with bookings for next year, and sales of art.
For, each day that I made significant progress in ousting large amounts of paperwork and resources, God seemed to confirm my actions with either a booking for a new retreat next year, a booking enquiry, an unexpected trade order or a sale of original art. None of these things are weekly or even monthly occurrences for me, so it felt a significant enough sign that this loosening & lightening process, is the right way forward.
I have found God’s response to my actions deeply humbling and affirming in this journey of loosening and lightening.
How can I create space for new growth?
I am hoping that I have the persistence and endurance to continue to create space, loosening and lightening the load of what has been.
I long to be energised through this making space for all that God is cultivating in me for this new season ahead.
I want to have courage to be able to embrace the vison and purpose God has placed on my life, and to do that I will need open hands; hands that are empty enough to receive and then give.
Being uprooted or loosened feels uncomfortable, but I believe it is essential for ongoing renewal and nourishment. God holds us gently when we are replanted in new soil, ensuring our roots have more space to grow deeper, and our branches flourish after pruning.
What feels like a letting go today can make space for flourishing tomorrow.
We do not have to carry every old weight into the place where God is leading us next.
The words of Saint Brendan resonate so much fior me, here…
“Give me the faith to leave old ways and break fresh ground with You, Lord…”
What new season might God be calling me into next?
