Balloon Launch

PROTECTED CONTENT

If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.

Lost your password?

Username and Password Help

Please enter your email and we will send you a password reset link.

← Back

When I was in elementary school, we used to have a balloon launch once a year. If I remember right, it was sponsored by Weekly Reader, an organization that sent out informational papers that teachers could read to students each week. For the balloon launch, each student was given a card that they could write their name on and their school information. Then we would attach the card to our balloon and go outside. We would all let go of our balloons at the same time and hope that someone would find it and write back to us. Once we let go of the balloon, we had no control of where it would go or if it would be found. It was floating up into the sky and there was no getting it back.

There are often things in our lives that we have to let go of and let the Lord handle – things that are out of our hands. If you are anything like me, it is hard to let go of things. Even though I know that there is really nothing I can do about it, I continue to try to keep things in my control by worrying about it. The Lord wants to take these things and carry them for us. Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” If only I were as willing to let go of my worried thoughts as I was to let go of that balloon in elementary school. Instead, I give those thoughts to the Lord and then I find myself wanting to pick them back up.

Worrying is like saying that we don’t trust God to take care of us. There is a line in the book of Jeremiah that says, “Lord, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps.” (Jeremiah 10:23). Our lives are not our own, so what can worrying do to change things? God is in control of every situation, so why aren’t we willing to let go and let Him take care of it? In Matthew 6:27, Jesus says, “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” This is a reminder that worrying is accomplishing absolutely nothing. I guess it’s time for me to let go of my worries and watch them float away like that balloon in elementary school.