Let it Go

Watch this short scene from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade:

Every day I find myself at odds with . . . myself. As I grow in my discipleship, I look back to see all of the things of my old self that no longer remain. Old habits and attitudes, and ways of thinking. And while my life is no longer a habitual personification of ungodliness—no longer leading a sinful life—it continues to be pockmarked with the remains of what once was.

And I must daily traverse these pockmarks—stepping over, stepping around, tripping over and, yes, falling in—on my journey in relationship with God. It dumbfounds me that, having been given a new life, I continue to relive my old one. I frequently look back on the things that enslaved me and wonder, “What would it be like to do that again?” I mean, I know I would benefit from the momentary gratification of participating in whatever it was I was pondering—sometimes seriously considering—but then realize my freedom and joy exist only apart from such things.

Frequently, of course, the old way of thinking kicks in, and it tells me, “God understands your weakness. He won’t hold this against you. He loves you. And He already forgives you.”

Yeah. That’s true. So when I’m thinking only of myself, what I hear is, “So go ahead and do whatever it was you were gonna do, because it’s okay. He understands.” And that sure subdues the inhibition for the moment. Unfortunately, the guilt still follows. It always follows.

Thankfully, this is not as frequent as the new way of thinking, when the Word of God overcomes such thoughts with:

No temptation has seized you except that which is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

As a result, what I hear is the Voice of Truth: “God understands your struggle. But He loves you and knows your limitations. And because He has given you the power to overcome it and provided an escape route as necessary, you are without excuse. So let it go, and grab hold of your Father, who loves you.“