Rich Dixon on releasing.

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I spoke recently to some folks about an important principle.

Don’t cling to a mistake just because you spent a long time making it.

I probably should have added “a long time – or a lot of money or emotional energy – making it.”

In business, these sorts of mistakes are called sunk costs. Chasing sunk costs is a common mistake, whether money or time or emotional investment.

Letting go of past mistakes was a big part of Jesus’ message. How much angst occurs over actions Jesus already wiped away?

I’m preaching to myself, of course, because I cling to so much from my past.

A silly example: I once bought an expensive entertainment center that no longer fits anywhere, but I hang onto it because, you know, it was expensive. Now it just takes up space – and accumulates even more junk.

I recently spoke to some folks from Project Rescue about the kids at our Home of Hope. They talked about the importance of long-term aftercare for these kids who’ve experienced extreme trauma.

They cling to guilt and shame – a sense that they’ve done something wrong, that there’s therefore something intrinsically wrong with them. They’re sure forgiveness isn’t possible.

Jesus wants you and me and our kids to live freely and lightly, unencumbered by the past. He died partly so we could begin each day with a clean slate.

Sunk costs – time, money, or emotions – are a lot like my out-of-date entertainment center. We cling to them because we invested so much, but all they do is take up space and accumulate even more junk. They prevent us from living freely and lightly.

Jesus’ message: Let It Go! Whenever it is, whatever mistake, whatever guilt or shame or even expensive, out-of-date cabinet – Let It Go!

Live freely and lightly, as I intended.