Voluntary Detachment

“The Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says to the people, ‘Come back and quietly trust in me. Then you will be strong and secure.’" (Isaiah 30:15 GNT)

Every day, we are faced with hundreds of opportunities to choose detachment over indulgence. If given the choice, most of us would choose comfort over discomfort. Like dogs with leashes attached to choke collars, we are controlled and limited by our impulses and desires. We choose pleasure over pain, warmth over cold, distraction over stillness, and fullness over emptiness. In many instances, pursuing immediate gratification of our desires can be harmful--physically, mentally, and spiritually. However, we allow our cravings to lead us into temptation. This is the way of the world.

There is a different way. Instead of being controlled by our desires, temptations, and evil influences, we can return to God and settle down in complete dependence on Him.  This is not easy; we have grown accustomed to indulging in sensual pleasures. We have been raised to believe that it is our human right to seek immediate gratification of all our desires. Thus, voluntarily detaching from what we have always held dear may seem counterintuitive. If you would like to change your ways, it’s best to start small. Take tiny breaks from that which binds you or takes your focus away from God. Take it one choice at a time.  Voluntarily detach from comfort, turn your back on worldliness, be still, and trust God.