Are you ready to let go and let God?

In the world of fashion, September is a bigger month than January. It’s the month in the year for new things in our wardrobes as summer draws to a close. I used to buy the September edition of Vogue magazine when I lived in New York City because that was the time of the year for a bit of inspiration; where one could peer into the latest innovations, trends and styles in fashion and decide to try something new. Outfit changes are one thing, but there are other life decisions which fall into a slightly different category.

In theory we might say we like new things, but the reality is new things can often feel a little scary. With every new thing that starts in our lives, we inevitably have to let go of something old; we have to let go of something familiar or comfortable in order to take hold of something new. According to psychologists, uncertainty bias – which can be irrational and unconscious – can make our brains automatically gravitate toward worst-case scenario negative thinking. 

One day at a time

I still remember arriving on the first day of my first term at university. I felt uneasy about what I didn’t know. I was unfamiliar with the environment, uncertain of how to study and wondered if all I’d been told about university life would live up to the hype. It was time to start again, with a new subject, new friends, a new space and a new season. I felt stretched, but what sustained me through my studies was this idea that if I worked hard and approached things with a ‘one day at a time’ mentality, it would feel less overwhelming and slightly more manageable. So I took things one lecture at a time, one topic at a time, one assignment at a time. And with each week, term and academic year that went by, I not only survived but surprised myself with how much I had learned and been stretched.  

Fast forward three years, straight after graduation I moved to New York City from London. I was embracing a new job, new country, new city, new culture, new colleagues and another new season. Moving cities, countries and continents induced next level fear and anxiety within me; the night before I was about to board my transatlantic flight, I lay in bed unable to sleep, wondering if I could change my mind and back out. But off to New York City I went, and I learned new things from new people in new places; I even discovered new things emerge from within me – I wonder whether they would have had a chance to grow if I had simply stayed in London. I guess I’ll never really know. 

Moving to a new country and starting from scratch was probably one of the hardest things I have ever chosen to do in my life. Looking back now, I think I grew the most during that season and the experience changed me for the better. I developed a greater empathy and compassion for others who had left so much behind to pursue something new, often for the sake of others and not so much for themselves. I discovered a new female mentor who saw my potential and invested in my growth and development; she showed me a different way to lead and exercise power. I spent ten years in a place that felt new at the start, but ended up becoming an incubator for learning, growth and resilience which has stayed with me. Stepping into something new forced me to confront who and what I place my ultimate hope and trust in and led my faith in God to deepen and mature.

Letting go of the old to grasp the new

In Matthew 14:25-33, Jesus calls Peter to walk on water; Peter takes a step of faith and responds to Jesus by stepping out of the boat and walking towards him. However, very quickly Peter focuses on the wind and the circumstances and loses sight of Jesus, forgetting his words to be courageous and to not be afraid. Peter starts to sink and becomes overwhelmed; he cries out for help and Jesus reaches out and rescues him. 

Time and time again over the course of my life I have experienced God respond to my cries for help as I’ve dared to try new things and stepped out of the boat in faith to follow him. It’s certainly not been easy and I’ve often felt completely out of my depth when I’ve looked at the circumstances and the uncertainty bias has kicked in. But remembering God’s track record of faithfulness in my life, and the way he has repeatedly brought me to new places, new projects and new people to show me new things, gives me courage to be bold and brave when it comes to letting go of old things so that God can do a new thing. 

At the start of the academic year, what is God inviting you to potentially let go of and what new thing is he drawing your attention to? Perhaps it’s time to step out of the boat, take a step of faith and try something new?