Letting Go of the Things that Bind Us to Earth: Why Am I Going Through This Experience?!?

For the past year and a half, something has definitely been going on with the physical things in my life. I find great joy in restoring vehicles and tinkering with the mechanics to resolve problems.

I have a 2001 truck with 225,000 miles on the odometer, and at this point, I must have tried twenty or so different fixes to resolve a mechanical failure. This wasn’t normal for me, and after a summer of constantly working on it without success, I finally pushed it aside and stopped trying.

Now that I’m retired, I’ve spent a great deal of time setting up and engaging in a new business. I poured my heart into the project, but once again, things seemed stuck, and the business stalled.

Wanting to stay busy, I explored several part-time jobs that seemed fun in nature, but once again, nothing came from my efforts to pursue that work.

I’ve spent a great deal of time in prayer, trying to understand what’s been going on. I’ve experienced quite a bit of success throughout my life, so this season has felt very different—almost unfamiliar.

I then came upon this scripture in Colossians:

“Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”
— Colossians 3:2 (KJV)

My eyes had been opened to the direction that God is taking me toward. I was in a new season of my life due to the urgent time period that we are all in. Jesus Christ is soon coming to this earth, and I needed to let go of the earthly pursuits that I was engaged in, and focus on my new calling in assisting others to prepare for this event as well.

In a world that constantly pulls our hearts toward possessions, power, and pride, the Word of God gently calls us to lift our eyes higher. The treasures of this earth, no matter how glittering or appealing, are temporary. They fade, they rot, and they can be stolen. But the things of heaven? They are eternal.

Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, made this truth plain when He said:

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven… For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
— Matthew 6:19-21 (KJV)

The need to let go of earthly things isn’t just about physical possessions. It includes our pride, our lusts, our desire for recognition, and even our plans when they are not in alignment with God’s will. We are pilgrims and strangers here. This world is not our home.

A Spiritual Exchange

When we cling to the things of this earth, we cannot fully cling to Christ. The rich young ruler in Matthew 19 is a sobering reminder. Though he kept many commandments, Jesus told him:

“If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.”
— Matthew 19:21 (KJV)

But the young man went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. He could not let go of what he had in order to take hold of what Jesus offered.

We may not all be rich, but we all have something we hold too tightly—something Jesus may be asking us to release. Is it time, money, comfort, reputation, unforgiveness, or fear? Whatever it is, we must let go to follow Him with our whole hearts.

Freedom in Letting Go

Letting go is not loss—it is gain. Paul said:

“But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ… I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord…”
— Philippians 3:7-8 (KJV)

There is a deep freedom in living with open hands. We stop being weighed down by things that do not matter and start walking in the lightness of faith. We can serve more boldly, give more freely, and love more fully.

Living for Eternity

The days are short, and the Lord’s return draws near. Now is the time to live for what truly matters.

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world… the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”
— 1 John 2:15, 17 (KJV)

Brothers and sisters, let us not build our lives on sinking sand. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, store our treasures in heaven, and walk in the freedom of a heart unchained by the things of this earth.

For when we have Christ, we have everything.

If you are experiencing similar situations to those I’ve described, please understand the intent of our God. He is helping you transition from the things that bind us to the earth and is shifting our focus toward the eternal things we are about to be engaged in.

Here is another way to process the new direction God is asking us to take.

Think back on your life—especially if you were the financial provider for your family. You likely spent a great deal of effort building your “kingdom” here on earth: a home, food, clothing, and perhaps other physical things that brought joy and comfort to you and your loved ones.

That season of life is drawing to an end. All of those things I just mentioned will have no value when we move on to the next life. Your gold, your 401k, your big house, and all your fun toys will be left behind.

Our focus must now shift to building our “mansion” in heaven and letting go of the things that keep us bound to this earth. Don’t you want to have the “best of the best” in the life after death? Are you ready, right now, to stop worrying about the stock market and start caring for the homeless—or for the people who have been calling out to God for help?

I must say, the easiest way I’ve found to release the things that bind me to this earth is simply to think about and dedicate my time to serving others.

Instead of spending countless hours studying and researching how to grow a business, I can focus on how to show my neighbors, family, and friends how deeply I love them.

I invite you to prayerfully consider this idea. Are there things happening in your life right now that could be seen as God helping you pull away from the things of this world? When you recognize His hand in it, it certainly brings clarity and peace.

I am not a failure because of the events I’ve described above. I am a participant in recognizing the shift in direction that my Heavenly Father is leading me toward. I will answer His call and see the importance of releasing these earthly binders, changing my priorities entirely to focus on what God would have me do as I prepare for my next “life.”

I invite you to do the same. Please do not view these things as sinful—they are not. It is simply time to let them go and prepare yourself for what is to come. In doing so, you’ll find a deep sense of freedom.