2.19.09

I was thinking today about "letting" things happen vs. "making" things happen.

I think the difference lies in pre-situational choices vs. attitudes and actions on site. In other words, I think "making" things happen should ideally refer to a firm dedication to opportunities and decisions: exploring opportunities and making responsible decisions and, if there seems to be no opportunities available, the seeking out of opportunities and the planning of achievement; assessing the pro's and con's and determining where to dedicate your pursuits; these things are "making" things happen. However, just as important is the "letting". In fact, this tender balance is a most essential attribute in life; a principle that cannot be rushed in its learning for, indeed, we are meant to spend a lifetime learning it. The "letting" is the time that is spent en route. It is adaptability and flexibility. And, most of all, it is trust. This trust must be set both in the knowledge of God (His existence) and the knowledge of His ability to bless and guide.

In essence, both "letting" and "making" constitute faith. "Making" constitutes faith in its aspects of seeking, planning, choosing, exploring, pondering, mistaking, and determining. However, it loses its faith when the aspect of human control is introduced. When the actions mentioned above begin to surround themselves with the walls of stress, fear, and control, they have lost their faith. And how often we forget; how often we, almost subconsciously, start to tighten our grips around our success in an attempt to secure a false stability; we forget that we cannot and should not do it alone. If you are questioning your ability to succeed, stop trying to do it alone and start asking yourself if it's what the Lord would have you do. And, whether it is or isn't, start "making" things happen, but not without divine help. Thankfully, the Lord does not abandon us in these situations. In fact, more often than not, He gives us a trial that will turn us back to Him, help us let go, and help us to grow. This is not shameful; it is necessary. As mentioned, an essential part of faith is mistaking. Another essential part is letting go; the "letting" things happen to which I now turn.

"Letting" constitutes faith in its aspects of trusting, letting go, accepting, adapting, changing, and waiting. However, it also can lose its faith. When it begins to sit in comfort and complacency; when it begins to lose its desires for change and, consequently, fear change; when it avoids making certain decisions because of unknown or difficult futures; when any or all of these occur, "letting" has lost its faith. And again, we often forget. But again, we are most often given trials to shake us awake, to help us "rise up from the dust and be men [and women]". If you are asking yourself why "bad" things keep happening to you or to others, stop trying to secure your own perception of stability in your life and "let" things happen.

Both the "letting" and "making" are essential aspects of faith. In life, we sometimes swing from one extreme to the other, but it is all part of the learning process. Remember, passions and excitement have their place, but are ultimately temporary; they are often masked as quick means to stability and success when they actually lead to the illusion and temptation of control. Remember also, fear, in any aspect, never comes from God. If you fear anything in life, know that you are not meant to. You have to know and believe that the Lord will make you equal to the task.