Letting It Go

Last night our small group at church got together for some wonderful food and a night of playing games. Between us, we had more than 25 board and card games to choose from. After a few rounds of Scattergories and Hit or Miss in mixed groups, we decided to start a new game in which the women and men would compete against each other. 

Out of the large inventory of games came Outburst (circa 1986). Somehow, this had made its way out of our game closet and to the party. We laughed our way through a few rounds of the game before finding a more "current" game. (The women still aren't sure how the men ended up with "planets and famous nightclubs" and we managed to pull out "trucks" and "Vietnam." Who knew the truck category had more than 3 words for "18 wheeler"!) 

At the end of the night we sorted and packed up our games. As we once again laughed at the 1986 Outburst game, a good friend made a funny, but true observation. He marveled, not that we had a game from 1986, but at how many times we must have made a conscious decision to move the game. We began to count how many moves we had made in 16 years and came up with 3 states and 6 houses (for a total of 6 moves). Ummm...not sure how this game missed the moving sales!

I am wondering how many times we make the same choice in our personal and spiritual lives? We experience a life change (either through life circumstances or a conscious decision). Some days, months, or years later, something happens and we realize we have unintentionally or unknowingly brought along something that is no longer useful, helpful or healthy. It may be a habit, negative thoughts or feelings (anxiety, bitterness, shame, etc), or even a relationship. More than likely, it is "taking up space" where God desires to do and give so much more.  

"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.  Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:12-14

Praying today for wisdom and courage today to consider how God would have me "press toward the goal" and what He would have me forget or let go of to make more room for the things of Him.  And who knows, maybe Outburst will make its way into our adoption garage sale in April!