“Let it go,” the princess croons. “Can’t hold it back anymore.” If you were parenting (or grandparenting) in the early 2010s, that refrain likely echoed through your house or your minivan. For years, my kids twirled through the living room, belting out their adorable (albeit off-tune) renditions of the catchy ballad with full-bodied joy.
I used to think it was a song about glittery snow and fierce independence. But these days, I hear something deeper in the chorus — an invitation to release what’s weighing me down so I can move toward the One who lifts me up.
Not long ago, I sat in a quiet pew while my pastor led us through John 18. We were entering Holy Week, moving toward the garden where Jesus would be betrayed. We read about soldiers and torches. A kiss of betrayal. And then these haunting, holy words from Jesus:
“I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.”
John 18:8 NIV
The pastor spoke of Jesus’ steadfast love in the face of violence and fear, setting the stage for what was to come. But as I sat in the stillness of that sanctuary, something stirred. It wasn’t audible. But it was real. I sensed the words bend toward me. It was almost as if the Spirit turned them inward and whispered: “If you’re looking for me, Kayla… let it go.”
I don’t know how to explain it exactly, except to say this:
Sometimes, through the mystery of the Living Word, God meets us in the very words we thought we already understood. And something new is revealed — not changing the text, but changing us as we encounter it again.
That morning, I had walked into church herding my (slightly older but still wild) kids, and holding tight to a recent hurt. I’d replayed it all in my mind: my need to be right, my desire to be seen. I had no intention of releasing it or forgiving those who had inflicted pain.
But in that moment, I knew: If I was looking for Jesus, I needed to let them —let it— go.
What is the Spirit inviting you to let go of?
So many of our attachments tangle themselves into our identity. We confuse the burden we hold with who we are. But here’s the deeper truth:
You are never more fully yourself than when you are with the One who formed you from the dust — the One who is whispering a thousand resurrections into your life, if only you’ll look and let go.
Scripture is full of sacred invitations to release what is not ours to hold, full of reminders that if we’re looking for Jesus, we don’t need to do anything else except surrender (in other words… let it go).
- If you’re looking for Jesus, let your need to be right go.
“In humility, value others above yourselves…” (Philippians 2:3) - If you’re looking for Jesus, let your guilt and shame go.
“There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1) - If you’re looking for Jesus, let your bitterness go.
“Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” (Colossians 3:13) - If you’re looking for Jesus, let your fear of the future go.
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7) - If you’re looking for Jesus, let your thirst for control go.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5) - If you’re looking for Jesus, let the weight of the past go.
“See, I am doing a new thing!” (Isaiah 43:19)
I wonder… what do you need to let go of?
If your arms are full of resentment, of fear, of self-sufficiency, you won’t be able to receive the embrace of the One who longs to gather you close, to shelter you beneath His wings (Psalm 91:4). But when you move toward Jesus and let go of what you’ve been clinging to that hasn’t been serving you, you experience freedom. (And you’ll be able to extend that freedom to others, too.)
When Jesus stood in the garden, He was fully aware of what was coming. He still stepped forward. He didn’t resist. He didn’t run. He surrendered so others could be free.
And now, through the mystery of the Living Word, I wonder how it might reorient our hearts to remember that the One who spoke then still speaks today.
“If you’re looking for me… let it go.”
If Jesus made Himself known to the very people who mocked, maligned, and murdered Him, don’t you think He’ll make Himself known to you?
Jesus moves toward. Toward the hurting. Toward the searching. Toward you.
Letting go might feel like a loss. But Jesus tells us something mysterious and wild: Loss leads to life.
He tells us this in Matthew 16:25: “Whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.”
Resurrection begins in the quiet of surrender. The empty tomb, the very center of hope, was once a place of letting go.
If you’re looking for Jesus, you’ll find Him. You might just have to let a few things go.
Imagine Jesus whispering to you: “Dear one, are you looking for Me? You just need to let ____ go. I’m here. I always have been.”
What are your arms full of today? What might God be inviting you to release? What might it look like to let go?
If this stirred something in you, you might enjoy Year of Breath, Kayla’s free weekly newsletter of breath prayers, reflections, and soul care for the journey.
Oh where do I begin with what I need to let go? This was very personal for me. I try letting go. It works for a bit then I find myself back to old ways. It is a constant work in progress. I appreciate all the references. Perhaps I need to make a list of them as the reminder I need. If I am looking…. And I am.
❤️ Thank you for sharing this! We definitely need those reminders, don’t we?
This message blessed my soul! I will let it all go to have a closer walk with Jesus ❤️
So grateful this resonated, Jackie!
Wonderful Wonderful! Wonderful!!
Thank you Kayla
& for every point backed with scripture
Great encouragement
So grateful this was an encouragement to you today!
Dearest Kayla,
So much to unpack here. I prayed your devotion back to the Lord as my offering. In humbleness I let go.
“In humbleness I let go” is such a beautiful offering, Dee. Thank you.
Powerful words for me this morning! Thank you!
Thanks for reading, Debbie!
Kayla and Anna,
Kayla, I love what you wrote!
Anna, how you read it made it come alive!
Happy Fri-YAY!
Sending you spring joy, Lisa Wilt
I love hearing Anna’s voice on the podcast, too! Thank you Lisa!
Dear Kayla………..Your words today, I will have to think about as it was a bit confusing to me. It is difficult to let Jesus go when there are things that I find difficult to do. Four+ years ago my 1 child ( a son ) called to tell me he no longer considers me his mother and that my one grandson, my son told me that he and his wife would never let me talk or see my 11 year old at the time, grandson. He will be fifteen soon. My ex-husband now has a violent type of dementia and he tried to kill me. I had to have him evicted from our home of 40 years for my own safety said the police, all 5 of my support groups and his doctors. The doctors said, the next time he will get a gun and kill me. Ten minutes later, he will not remember he is the one who shot me. I had to divorce him after being married for 54 years as I would never be able to live with him again. This is where I get confused. I have forgiven friends and others who have been mean to me or did something to me that made me cry, but Kayla, I have been trying to forgive my family and those are the only family I have left, but yet I don’t as they have not communicated with me for the 4+ years. So, alone, I pray for help with forgiving them. Is there a way? I don’t know, and at 77 years old, it seems to get worse. I miss my grandson so much. I can forgive my ex as he is sick, but if he and my son had listened to me in the beginning, things could have been different. You see, he refused to do what the neurologists were telling him he HAD to do. The number 1 thing was to stop drinking all alcohol . Instead, he increased his drinking and went into “Dementia rages” every night for the 3+ years I stayed with him and he abused me every one of those nights. Physically, mentally and emotionally I was worn down. I am sorry for going on and on, but that is only part of the story. I will not bore you with those details. Kayla, I will try and do what your wise words have told us, but I really don’t know if I can. I wish you a Blessed weekend and thank you for helping me. It is one of my prayer times so I must go. Love to you……..Betsy Basile
That is so much to hold, Besty. Praying you will be able to release what is not yours to hold anymore as you move toward the One who has open arms.
What a great way to show others how to find Jesus! I don’t have any kids of my own, but I was an Aunt when this “Let it go!” was around. I can see how it fits in with your wonderful devotion. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks so much for reading and taking the time to share here, Peggy! Hugs!
A powerful, meaningful, freeing word to my heart. Thank you, Kayla!
So honored these words met you where you are today. Thank you for reading!
Powerful message and something to think on. I think there is a few different things I need to work on letting go like the need to be right, or feelings of enough. It’s all a process. Just need to continue to grow and nurture in my walk with Jesus and move forward and towards Him.
I relate to that so much, Courtney. Thank you for sharing a glimpse into what you’re letting go of.
Kayla,
I need to let go of the past. The job & other choices I made. There’s no way to go back & fix everything. What’s done is done. Giving it over to God. Asking God to make me more humble. Quit seeking attention & praise others.
Blessings 🙂
Hearing you, Beth! Sometimes the hardest part is not trusting that God is good but trusting that God will still lavish grace upon us even when we let things go. Thanks for sharing!
Sometimes it’s a gradual letting go — and there is grace that abounds. Thank you, Beth!
This… the list of things to let go… all them. Thank you for this and I am bookmarking it for regular rereading so I don’t forget!
So grateful this list spoke to you — I definitely need it, too!