Dear Friends of LIS,

While living in California may not afford us many opportunities to watch the leaves turn colors, we still witness the changes of holiday seasons. Whenever I see signs stating, “Everything must go!” it signals that “everything” currently in stock needs to be removed, let go, or discarded to make room for something new. We can easily apply this phrase to our habits, patterns, and attachments that must be stripped away so that God can expand our capacity to listen and to follow him in a new way. How quickly we let go of anything may point to our desperation to change something in our lives.

In Chapter 10 of Mark’s Gospel, we meet Bartimaeus who is desperate for a change in his life. While waiting along the road begging, he had no idea how extreme his life was going to change within minutes. His faith led him to “throw aside his cloak” which set the stage for a miracle as he moved toward Jesus’ voice. Oftentimes when we choose another way of living, we ultimately have to leave something behind or let go of behaviors that are limiting our growth.

We must be bold like Bartimaeus who yelled out to Jesus for help. Bartimaeus’ faith saved and healed him. Jesus is always waiting to help restore our lives. His grace and mercy are always ready to be showered upon our life, but he needs our trust in him to “open the door” to his blessings. We need to let go of old habits and/or old thinking and make room for a renewal of our mind, body, and spirit. I’m sure some of us have experienced seasons where it’s been more painful to hold on than to let go. It wasn’t until we surrendered to God that the disordered attachment was revealed and released.

Bartimaeus was told to have courage and to get up, when Jesus called to him. He threw his clothing down and when he got up, he saw and moved in a way different than he ever had. Let’s follow his lead and strip away anything invaluable in our lives to make room for a season of renewed conviction to follow Jesus more closely. Let us pray: God, our Lord, confront and remove anything in me that isn’t pleasing to you. Please make space for whatever will bring me to my fullest potential. “Everything must go” to expand my capacity to praise, reverence, and serve you. Amen.

Peace & Blessings,

Lori Stanley,

Executive Director ­