When you were young, you were able to do as you liked;
you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go.
But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands,
and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.
(John 21:18; NLT).
1. Lord, as I get older,
I find I must let go
Of all I take for granted,
But, instead, you make me grow.
2. I’ve had to let my looks go,
My vanity and pride;
My status and my ego,
But, instead, you are my guide.
3. I’ve had to let my strength go,
My energy and health;
My work and independence,
But, instead, you give me help.
4. I’ve had to let my past go,
My childhood, my abuse;
My bitterness and hatred,
But, instead, you teach me truth.
5. And I will have to give up more:
My body, life, and breath;
But I will gladly let them go,
To merge with you, in death.
References
1. Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong (Ephesians 3:17; NLT).
We will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ (Ephesians 4:15; NLT
2. He is our God forever and ever, and he will guide us until we die (Psalm 48:14; NLT).
3. My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth (Psalm 121:2; NLT).
4. The Spirit is truth (1 John 5:6; NKJV).
Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth (Psalm 86:11; NLT).
5. Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” And with those words he breathed his last (Luke 23:46; NLT).
The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord (Job 1:21; NLT).
The dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it (Ecclesiastes 12:7; NIV).