Letting Go of Associations / Organizations

Have you ever been part of an organization, such as a hobby club, a professional association, a networking group or a religious group that you are just comfortable in?  You usually sit in the same seat and you know the people next to you.  You are not stressed because people are similar to you; and they don’t challenge you; so not much is expected of you.  You are in your comfort zone.

What happens when you become tired of the association or you have moved on with your life and the association makes you feel caged.  You become dissatisfied since meeting with the group turns out to be the same old same old? 

My family and I have moved a couple of times over the years due to my job situations, and part of the process was finding new church fellowships.  A wise friend of mine told me: “When you look for a fellowship, look for a place where you can grow and where you can make a contribution”.  The idea that we would agree with their core set of beliefs was a given.  We have been in fellowships where we felt we were growing, had good relationships and could contribute when we first joined.  But as time went on, problems started to emerge when people became very controlling – insisting on doing everything their way.  

I do not like to manipulate or control people and neither do I want to be controlled and manipulated. I will not allow someone else to control and manipulate me; especially when it comes to acting against my best understanding and my conscience.  There I will not compromise; and neither should anybody else.  God expects us to walk uprightly with integrity of heart for His ways.

These are situations where I have had to say, it’s time to say good-bye.  However, even if we were wronged or feel that we may have been wronged, when we do leave, we must let go completely; letting go of any hurt feelings, grudges, bitterness etc.  When we move on, we need to move on with an attitude of grace and forgiveness. Then we will truly be free and open to new associations which help us to move forward towards more growth and greater contribution according to God’s purpose for our lives.

Another consideration whether we remain in associations is the impact people we surround ourselves with have on our mindset.  Our minds often mirror our surroundings.  The standards we have in our minds subconsciously adjust to the standards of the people we spend time with.  If we want to be healthy, we need to surround ourselves with health-conscious people.  If we want to be a high achiever, we need to surround ourselves with high achievers.  If we want to quit smoking or quit any other habits, we need to spend more time with people who either do not have those habits or have overcome them.

Questions to ask yourself.

·         Am I growing here? Does this association/organization contribute either to my personal growth or skill development?

·         Am I of real service and am I making a significant difference here?

·         Does this association serve what I believe to be my calling? 

·         Or does it take time and other resources away from what I am really meant to do?

·         Does my association make it harder for me to break habits I want to break?

·         Do I need to free up some time to spend with people who are striving for a life that is more closely aligned with my values and what I want to accomplish and contribute?

 © On Eagles Wings, LLC