Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.” –John 8:10-11 (ESV)

There is an oak tree behind my house that fascinates me. Every winter it holds on to its dead leaves until spring arrives and the new buds force them off the branches. The old leaves hold on the entire winter through wind, rain, and snow, refusing to let go until the promise of new life releases them.

How often do we hold on to what we were instead of moving on to what we are meant to be? We all look for security, and often we would rather stay in our comfort zones as opposed to taking a leap of faith and following our destined path.

When Jesus met the woman who committed adultery in John chapter 8, He already knew she had been caught with a man who wasn’t her husband. He knew that she was being used by the Pharisees to try to trap Him. He knew the man was not being held accountable, only her. He knew that she was suffering.

And still He forgave her, challenging anyone without sin to cast the first stone.

There was more to the story though, and it paints a beautiful picture of God’s plan for us. Jesus told her to go and sin no more. This was not a call to live a perfect life; we know that is impossible.  Jesus was telling her to let go of this old life, leave it at His feet, and move forward a redeemed woman.

I remember holding on to a job too long because I was afraid of living paycheck to paycheck. I remember holding on too tightly to an unhealthy relationship because I was afraid of being alone. I remember crying on my thirtieth birthday because I didn’t want to let go of my twenties. I also remember holding out on having a baby because I was afraid I wouldn’t be a good mother.

Thankfully, God pushed me to let go even when I didn’t feel ready in each circumstance, and I was so much more richly blessed because of it. Every time I have attempted to orchestrate my destiny, I have been left feeling empty and hollow. Every time I have allowed God to take His rightful place at the helm of my life, I have not been disappointed.

We definitely need to wait for God’s timing in our lives, and acting without His lead will take us down paths we aren’t meant to go. But letting go of unhealthy choices before we have the assurance of something new is a leap of faith that honors God and frees us.

Blessings!