Have you noticed that some trees hold onto their leaves much longer than others? We have an oak tree that keeps its dead leaves until spring when the new buds force them to fall to the ground. In some ways, I am like that oak, struggling to relinquish my hold on things. I wait to see “new buds,” the evidence of how God is going to work it out before I let go, rather than trusting His promise that He works all things for good (see Romans 8:28). Frankly, when I do that, I’m trusting in my own ability to manage people or situations rather than proving His “good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2b).


At Gethsemane, Jesus gave us a perfect example of how to earnestly and honestly pray about the hard things we face (He asked the Father to take away the bitter cup He faced), while letting go of our control to God’s perfect will (He submitted wholly to God and His will). Then, having done so, Jesus said confidently, “Let us go” (v. 46), and turned with resolve toward the hard task ahead, all for His great love of us!