“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,”

Hebrews 12:1 NIV

As 2021 comes to a close, I find myself reflecting on the past year and looking forward to all that 2022 holds. Each year I like to chose a word that will weave its way through my daily life and direct my thinking. In the past I have chosen words such as Generosity, Self Control or Patience and at the beginning of 2020 the word was Joy which stayed with me for 2021 as well. I do wonder if people lost their Joy in the last 2 years and replaced it with the fear of Covid, News Cycles and Statistics.

Amazingly this years ‘word’ came easily as God has bombarded me with it on all sides like He sometimes does when He wants you to take notice.

‘Let Go’

Yes it’s 2 words I hear the precise among you say….but God is never tied by the constraints we might add!

Sometimes I’m not even sure, as I chose a word, where God is going with it, but not this time. He has already opened up a little of the journey I will travel in 2022 with ‘Let Go’ and has also expanded my thinking with a second phrase which I will share with you another time. God never just asks us to let go, He replaces with the ‘above and beyond’ because He is a Good Good Father.

What am I letting go of?

The need to feel valued, yes of course we should value one another but letting go of that need to hear or feel it from someone releases you to just be who God made you to be. No need to seek approval or affirmation from others, rather know who you are In Christ and simply be obedient to only Him. God has already been shifting my feelings in this area but putting it into words allows me to recognise when I slip into that ‘approval mode’.

Wrong attitudes that I may not even be aware of, so I pray God will reveal these and soften my heart. Praying God shows you where you are hard hearted can be dangerous because we don’t always want to let go of these attitudes.

Old identities. Have I allowed other people to name me? The answer to that is an emphatic yes which God revealed to me in 2021 and so I’m learning to let go of those names that limit and instead embrace who He called me to be.

Has someone named you by your circumstances or by how you look? Divorced, victim, an illness, a past mistake? Maybe you have named yourself? Go to Ephesians and remind yourself who you are? Chosen, loved, a Masterpiece and so much more. Rename yourself with Gods beautiful words about you.

Unforgiveness or Bitterness. Is there a hurt I am holding on to which has grown into bitterness. It may not be easy but letting this go gives you so much freedom and I don’t want my thinking to be taken up with anger, disappointment, resentment and bitterness towards someone who may not even know I feel like this. I have far too many other things I want to do! Forgive quickly, don’t keep talking about it to others which only serves to keep it front and centre, bring it to God and ask Him to enable you to simply love them.

Fear has swallowed up 2021 for so many people but God tells us over and over again to ‘fear not’, to have courage and faith so I will remind myself of His love and faithfulness day by day. I will choose to shift my gaze.

I am also asking myself the question…are there things I am doing that I need to let go of?

Things that are good and God inspired but the Season may be finished?

Things that are holding me back? I will pray for courage to step out in boldness and run the race.