Release It!

Maybe one of the best ways to describe a follower of Christ is that they daily learn to “release it!” The other week with the help of a team from Haven church in Michigan we hosted an appreciation dinner for the teachers and staff of Ocean View Care Center.

After a wonderful meal and time of fellowship we gathered in the comfortable chairs in the family room for a time of ministry. Kayleigh Grassmid, youth director at Haven, read a prayer she was inspired to write specifically for the teachers and staff.

Hearing these truths from their Abba Father many hearts were moved and precious tears freely flowed from His daughters. These amazing ladies fight every day to bring love to children who come from all sorts of brokenness in their family environments. The teachers and staff have heavy burdens to carry as they seek to teach, train and provide a safe space for each of the students, and at the same time carry their own burdens for their own family.

At the end of our time together a basket of rocks was passed out for each one to take and hold. The rocks represented the hard and difficult circumstances in our lives from sins, heartaches, or impossible situations beyond our control that weigh us down.

1 Peter 5:6-7 was then read:

“If you bow low in God’s awesome presence, He will eventually exalt you as you leave the timing in His hands. Pour out all your worries and stress upon Him and leave them there, for He always tenderly cares for you.”

Taking a few moments to be still, we reflected and prayed about what we may want to release. As we clutched that rock in our hands holding on so tightly to whatever it was we opened our hands and “released it” all to Him. Next, all 26 of us walked to the ocean and threw that sin, hurt, worry, pain, and fear to the One who lovingly cares. As the rocks were hurled into the Ocean we “released it” all to Him, trusting in the Father’s love to carry it for us so we can walk in the joy of His Son Jesus who lives in us.

It was a Holy moment on the beach as we lived in the spiritual blessing of releasing it all to the lover of our souls. I challenge you to: Find a rock. Find an ocean, lake or river. And “release it” all into His loving hands.