Hold on tight with your hands open!

It’s incredible how much a simple thing, like traffic, can affect your outlook on life.

Few weeks ago I was faced by an unexpected encounter. A Journey with an Unexpected Ending.

I had to drive across town and traffic was terrible, one thing started to be more and more inevitable: I am going to be late…And just right then, I have realized a few seconds too late, that I have missed the exit I was supposed to take on the freeway. 

Only two things I could think of, one was were I will have to take an exit at the next opportunity, and two that I can’t afford the time.

As I took the next exit and turned back onto the freeway, hold and behold this side of the road was even worst, I could see my exit, but nobody was moving…Like never before, I made a decision right there to not allow myself to get frustrated, or angry...I took a deep breath and smiling I said a prayer…instead of allowing my mind to worry, my emotions to strongly impact my mood, and my mouth to utter negative words, I detached myself from what kind of outcome I will encounter…let go and let God kind of attitude…I knew that just by getting frustrated, and worrying, I will not be able to help the situation…also I knew that there was no way I will arrive on time.

To this day I am not sure how, but it is not just that I made it on time, but I even had 8 minutes to spare, as I got to my destination.

Looking back at it, even though this might be the silliest lesson on earth, it really brought me an amazing enlightenment …maybe that is exactly why it happened to me.

What have I become aware of, because of this journey with an unexpected ending?

It was extraordinary to detach myself from an outcome I could not control, if I would’ve stayed attached to the outcome of my journey, in this case being late, nothing but negative emotions of worry, disappointment, stress, even fear, would’ve flooded my mind and body, all of those bringing nothing but unnecessary and unwanted sicknesses…by detaching myself from the outcome, it allowed my heart and mind to take up a resting position, resting in the complete love and provision of God, and in knowing that He is always working everything for me, through me, for my greatest good.

Somethings I can just not control, I left in plenty of time to make it there, it was a beautiful sunny day, and everything was going just right…

This encounter demonstrated me, that attaching myself to a certain outcome, expecting and controlling, will always create a certain amount of insecurity…attaching and detaching called my attention to the difference between anticipation and expectation…even though in our world today, the word “anticipation” has been reduced to “a feeling of expectation”, I am learning that anticipation is exciting, humble and full of hope, where faith thrives...when expectation is more controlling, demanding and prideful, where faith only strives.

The uncertainty and the unknown are always open areas for all kinds of possibilities…places for faith, growth and change...if I attach myself to a specific outcome, expecting specific things, I get locked into a stiff mindset and I lose the flexibility and spontaneity of potentials…if I anticipate, I am actually expressing my faith, resting and trusting in God, knowing and believing that everything is under control…everything…when I wait patiently and in faith, the right solution will arise on its own, always.

Many times uncertainty is the doorway to a new understanding, where peace and direction will emerge from the unpredictable …

I am not referring to a life without wanting, desires, dreams, planning, committing, organizing…I am referring to a life where I do not force solutions on problems, where I do not have to have outcomes in specific ways in order to be well or happy, but I wait patiently and in faith, letting go and letting God, and enjoying the process...A life where I can hold on tight to God, but have my hands wide open, as I entrust my hopes and dreams to Him...a life where the love of God, Jesus in me, the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and my faith in His promises, win every battle in my heart and in my mind!

In conclusion, the biggest discovery I had on that journey, it was that I may have the intention of going in a certain direction, but instead of expecting a specific outcome, I can anticipate that in the distance between point A and point B, there are infinite of possibilities…and I simply love that thought…no matter what will be the next circumstance that arises, I can still hold on tight, but with my hands wide open, and anticipate that the possibilities will be infinite...sometimes simply 2+2=5 with Jesus!

“Now may God, the inspiration and fountain of hope, fill you to overflowing with uncontainable joy and perfect peace as you trust in him. And may the power of the Holy Spirit continually surround your life with his super-abundance until you radiate with hope!” (Romans:12:3, The Passion translation)

”Great favor is upon you, for you have believed   every word spoken to you from the Lord.” (Luke 1:45, The Passion translation)