"Will you let me…"

Two of my friends and I see each other only a half-dozen times a year because we live in different cities. Because of the unique blend of personalities, we always have a very spirited discussion each time we get together…to the extent that each one has to work hard to finish his comments before being interrupted by one of the other two. Once, one of these guys was making a comment after spending a great deal of time gathering his thoughts. Right in the middle of his spiel, he caused my other friend to think of something. The 'friend reminded' promptly interrupted the 'friend talking'. The 'friend talking' immediately snapped back at the 'friend reminded', "Let me finish!" The 'friend reminded' sheepishly went silent as he realized 'friend talking' did not want to be interrupted. A few years has past since then, but each time the three of us are together again, each of us looks for an opportunity-after being interrupted-to snap back, "Let me finish!"

When you think about it, there are quite a few examples of 'let me', 'let us' or 'let (whatever)'.. Through the years, our four children have requested many times on Friday evenings, "Let me sleep late in the morning." Sometimes, we simply want others to 'let us alone'. Unfortunately, friends sometimes 'let us down'. When someone discloses what should have been a secret, we say they 'let the cat out of the bag'. We routinely send our children off to school with "I love you" followed by "let us know if you need anything". Speaking of children, sometimes we parents find it difficult to 'let them go'. Yet, as children many of us were hoping our parents would 'let us go'. Many of these are insignificant, but occasionally whether we let someone do something or vice versa can have a significant impact on their (or our) future.

A few years ago, my wife and I decided to move from Atlanta, where I was the city director for one of the ministries of a large religious organization, to Bigfork where I could write Bible study lessons. There was one problem. My boss did not agree with our reasons for coming here. It appeared I had no choice but to make a career change in order to move…not a good way to come to this area.

A short time later, we ran into another ministry head in the organization who asked how we were doing. Trying to avoid the subject, I finally told him we would probably have to make a career change and told him why. He chuckled and said, "You don't have to if you don't want to!" He proceeded to tell us about a department that he and another man had set up in the organization years earlier for situations just like ours. He gave me the man's name and number along with a personal recommendation. Two days later, we were having dinner with the man and his wife. He listened to what I wanted to do and simply asked, "How can I help you?" Eight years later, he is still my boss.

A few days ago, I read something written by the Apostle Paul that summed up what this man did for me. Paul wrote to the church in Rome:

We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. (Romans 12:6-8 NIV Underlines for emphasis.)

Seven times Paul instructed the Romans: …let him…let him…let him…let him…let him…let him… let him… Some may say this applies only to gifting in the spiritual areas, but consider the following account in Genesis:

Then the LORD said to Moses, "See, I have chosen Bezalel…and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts-to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship. Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab…to help him. Also I have given skill to all the craftsmen to make everything I have commanded you: (Exodus 31:1-6 NIV)

God gifted all the craftsmen, but He also made sure that Moses knew he was to let them do the work. God has given different people different gifts and abilities. The issue is whether or not we will let people do what they have been gifted to do. Perhaps you are the one with special gifts and abilities. Hopefully, the significant people in your life will let you do what God has gifted you to do. Perhaps you are the significant person in someone's life who needs to let him/her do what God gifted them to do. I was very fortunate to find someone who would 'let me' do what God wanted me to do.

(Now if I can just convince my wife that she should let me hunt and fish more!)