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Don’t judge me, but I’ve seen the movie Top Gun: Maverick at least three times – maybe four, but who’s counting? Any kind of fast-paced action draws me in quickly. Maybe that’s because I usually operate at everyone else’s half-speed. 

Though the action lived up to the hype, my eyes filled with wet emotion every time I watched the tender exchange between Maverick and his mentor they called Iceman. For decades, Maverick had blamed himself for the death of his wingman and best friend. Since Iceman was dying of cancer and found it hard to speak, he thoughtfully typed out his last words of wisdom: “It’s time to let go.” 

I don’t know what heartache Tom Cruise had to replay in his mind to get his eyes to fill with such a genuine display of emotion, but whatever it was, it worked. Tears rose, his head slowly wagged back and forth, and his jaw tightened until he finally managed to whisper, “I don’t know how.” That’s the trouble with all of our troubles, isn’t it? We don’t know how to let go. 

This past weekend, our small group of 14 women culminated their 3-month bible study by attending the Freedom Conference at Church of the Highlands. Every week of the study moved us all through the process of letting go of our past and claiming our freedom in Christ. The more we got to know each other the more vulnerable we became. Deep roots of many strongholds were identified so that they could be dealt with, and we could become vessels of honor. We slowly and methodically learned how to let go.

I’ve served on the prayer team for the Freedom Conference before, but this time seemed different – more powerful. We began the day with praise and worship so that any spirit of heaviness could be lifted. After all, Jesus was sent to bestow “a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.” (Isaiah 61:3) Then, many common obstacles to freedom were described one by one in great detail. Things like pride, possessions, fear, rejection, impurity, abuse, and shame. (If you don’t think you struggle with any of those, you might want to look at that first one again.) After each topic, participants made their way to the front of the room where the prayer team waited. Everyone received prayer. 

I’m still processing all the stories of heartbreak and tragedy I heard. It blessed my soul to be able to pray for each lady sent my way, and then watch the Holy Spirit move. A few ladies confessed secrets they had never told anyone before, and I saw healing begin. Young ladies riddled with guilt from their past mistakes repented and received the forgiveness and grace God readily poured out. Older women harmed by generational curses finally recognized them so that they could be broken. They learned that they could refuse to allow Satan to continue their family’s curse of destructive words and actions. I held women overcome with emotion and watched peace slowly wash over them as we prayed. I witnessed the conference’s multitude of servants becoming the hands and feet of Jesus so that others could find what they had found. 

This confession, repentance, and strong stand against Satan emptied hundreds of hearts. If all the tears could have been collected, they could surely fill an ocean. But, hearts can’t be left empty. Declarations of truth found in God’s word were made out loud in unison. Participants spoke life over themselves with words such as those founded in Ephesians 2:10: 

“I am ‘God’s masterpiece, created anew in Christ Jesus.’ I release the blessing of value and purpose in my life and declare that I am of great worth to God.” 

The Holy Spirit filled that place and was invited into many hearts. He is the One who changes hearts. He is the One who teaches, comforts, convicts, and counsels. It would be hard to imagine ANYONE in that room leaving unchanged. I know it changed me. I am so thankful that God’s mercies are new every morning, His grace covers all our sins, He lifts us out of the pit, He puts a new song in our mouths, He redeems our souls, and NOTHING, absolutely NOTHING, can separate us from His love. Great peace comes with knowing,“If the Son sets you free, you are free indeed.” (John 8:36)

At the conclusion of the conference, twenty-three people publicly demonstrated through baptism what had already been done in their hearts. The old was gone and the new had come. The time had come to let go!

“Live as one who has died to every form of sexual sin and impurity. Live as one who has died to the desires for forbidden things, including the desire for wealth, which is the essence of idol worship. When you live in these vices you ignite the anger of God against these acts of disobedience. That’s how you once behaved, characterized by your evil deeds. But now IT’S TIME to eliminate them from your lives once and for all—anger, fits of rage, all forms of hatred, cursing, filthy speech, and lying. Lay aside your old Adam-self with its masquerade and disguise. For you have acquired new creation life which is CONTINUALLY BEING RENEWED into the likeness of the One who created you; giving you the full revelation of God. In this new creation life, your nationality makes no difference, nor your ethnicity, education, nor economic status—they matter nothing. For it is Christ that means everything as HE LIVES IN EVERY ONE OF US!” (Colossians 3:5-11, TPT, emphasis mine)