Detachment

Detachment is the practice of letting go. Jesus came to the earth and forsook all of his "superpowers" and denied himself for the sake of us. He did not look to what he could do or what immediate facade of glory he could bestow upon himself, rather he continually looked toward God's purposes and worked to fulfill His purposes rather than his own. We are to follow this example. Jesus said that whoever would follow him would have to deny themselves and follow after him. We should not cling to earthly possessions or self-glorification, but should see the importance in God as the center of our lives. This is, after all, the 'chief end of man' (Westminster Catechism.)

Reflection Questions

Q: How do you handle failure and weakness, suffering and loss? What does this tell you about how you attach and adapt to the world's view of success, power and self-worth?
A: I don't usually see things in the same way the world does. I consider success a righteous relationship with God -- nothing more, nothing less. I do well here, but that is merely an outcropping of the character with which seeking God first has made in me.

Q: What are some specific ways in which mistakes and failures have worked for your good?
A: Every time that I lose something, I have the opportunity to gain so much more. Especially moving to college and leaving my life back home was a challenge for me; I knew that I would miss all of it and have to start over. But through the letting go of what I had "achieved," God was able to show me more about myself and who I am in Him.