Hold on Loosely by Lisa Burkhardt Worley
“Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed” (Proverbs 16:3).
In 1981, the rock group 38 Special released a song called Hold on Loosely. It was about love, but there was a line in the song that applies to all of life: “If you cling too tightly, you’re gonna lose control.” Sometimes when we want something badly, we push for it at all cost.
Like a dog clinging to his favorite chew toy, nothing is going to take our desire away, and we relinquish control of rational thought. We have forgotten to seek God’s direction first and are insisting on our way rather than God’s.
In the past few years, I have learned to hold on loosely to my plans. In the past, I might have been sorrowful to the point of tears when an opportunity did not work out, but now, because I have covered it in prayer, I do not dwell on disappointment. I realize x, y, or z was not God’s will for my life. In the past couple of weeks, I was turned down for one possibility and through two dreams, God closed the door on another. However, he does not shut a door without opening another—and that is what He did for me. The path I am to take is clear.
Nothing has changed since God’s word to the Israelites years ago. He told them, “So be careful to do what the LORD your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left. Walk in obedience to all that the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess” (Deuteronomy 5:32–33, NIV).
We thrive and avoid future failure when we stay focused on our heavenly Father’s navigation rather than our circuitous route. Even if we push hard enough and get our way, the project probably won’t be blessed. We will continue to strive and labor without God’s help because the direction was not from Him. Remember the LORD’s yoke is easy and His burden is light (Matthew 11:30).
There is peace when we know that we are in the center of God’s will. Surrender your plans to the LORD and hold on loosely, because His way is always better.