‘They went out from us, but they were not of us.’ 1 John 2:19 NKJV

Every relationship in your life is for a reason and a season. While your commitment to your family is for a lifetime; other relationships may have term limits. So when a friend walks away, don’t try to talk them into staying with you, loving you, calling you, caring about you, coming to see you, or staying attached to you. Your destiny is not tied to those who leave you.

John writes: ‘They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.’ People leave you because they’re not joined to you. And if they’re not joined to you, you shouldn’t try to make them stay. That doesn’t mean they’re bad people; it just means their part in your story is over.

You’ve got to know when a relationship is over, and graciously say goodbye knowing that whatever relationships God means you to have, He will provide. Stop begging them to stay—let them go! Clinging to a relationship whose season has ended will only lead to heartbreak.

After Lot left him, Abraham entered a new level of God’s blessing. Orpah left Naomi and went back home to Moab, but Ruth stayed with Naomi, and they were both blessed by God. You’ve got to know who belongs in your life and who doesn’t. If you’re holding on to someone who doesn’t belong, and who is not intended to be in your life, the word for you today is—let them go!

SoulFood: Exod 16:1–35, Jn 6:30–40

Let Them Go!