Podcast Summary: Let Go of What’s Holding You Back | At Once | Part 1

Podcast: Life.Church with Craig Groeschel
Release Date: December 29, 2024
Speaker: Life.Church Pastor (not Craig Groeschel for this episode)

Episode Overview

This episode invites listeners to reflect on the changes they hope for in the new year and addresses the barriers that prevent people from pursuing transformation. Using biblical narratives, personal stories, and humor, the pastor explores the theme of change—why it’s difficult, why we resist it, and, crucially, how following Jesus makes genuine transformation possible. The message is crafted for two groups: those desiring to change something and those needing everything to change, pointing all listeners toward practical, immediate steps and a committed faith journey.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

New Year’s Resolutions: What Holds Us Back?

• Research on Resolutions:

  • Health, money, relationships, hobbies, and career are the top five categories (01:34).
  • Only 30% of people make New Year’s resolutions, even though most desire some sort of change (02:40).
  • Older individuals are less likely to set resolutions (03:50).

• Why the hesitation?

  • It’s not lack of desire for change, but likely a lack of belief that change is possible or sustainable.

Personal Story: Change is Hard

• Dog on the Couch Anecdote:
  • The pastor shares attempting to keep their dog off the couch as a New Year’s resolution, lasting only three days:

    “Why? Because change is hard. But the good news is this is that change is hard, but with God, change is possible.” (06:32)

Two Types of People Approaching Change

• Group 1: “I want to change something in my life with God’s help.”
• Group 2: “Everything needs to change—my entire life.”
  • Both groups are addressed throughout the episode for encouragement and challenge.

Biblical Foundation: The Call to Follow Jesus

• Mark 1:16-18 — The Call of the Disciples (09:38)

  • Jesus calls Simon and Andrew, two ordinary fishermen, with an extraordinary invitation: “Come, follow me.”

    “God calls ordinary people like you and me to extraordinary purposes.” (11:12)

  • The response is immediate:

    “At once they left their nets and followed him.” (14:00)

• Why the Immediate Response?

  • They believed what Jesus was offering was better than what they currently had:

    “Because when we believe something's better, we usually do it.” (23:40)

• Contrast with the Rich Young Ruler: (15:20)

  • Unlike Simon and Andrew, the rich young ruler in Mark 10 walks away sad because he couldn’t let go of his possessions.

The Process of Change: Four Practical Steps

1. Start Now

   • Don’t wait for tomorrow if it’s important enough to do today:

     “If it's important enough to do tomorrow, it's important enough to do today.” (26:44)

   • Encourages concrete action: sign up for the gym, set the budget, start the Bible reading plan.

2. Let Go

   • Simon and Andrew literally left their nets—listeners are urged to let go of whatever is holding them back.

   • Cites Hebrews 12:1 (“…let us throw off everything that hinders…”):

     “To take hold of what God’s calling you to, you have to let go of what’s holding you back.” (28:10)

   • Practical examples:

     • Swap out unhealthy morning routines (scrolling social media) for time with God’s Word.
     • Remove temptations to overspend (e.g., leave credit cards at home).
     • Distance from relationships that undermine godly change.

3. Get Going

   • Change requires action, not just talking about it:

     “You can talk about it or you can be about it, right?” (31:40)

   • Story of the pastor’s wife deciding to become a runner:

     “The hardest step is the first step out the door every day.” (33:09)

   • Consistency, even when it’s difficult, is essential.

4. Keep Going

   • Change is not just a one-time decision but a daily commitment.

   • “Change is not a one-time decision. It’s a one-time decision with a daily commitment.” (36:54)

   • Disciples “went to Capernaum”—they kept moving forward.

For Those Who Need Everything to Change

• Following Jesus Means Total Reorientation

  • Simon and Andrew didn’t just change jobs—they changed their entire life’s direction and purpose.

  • “They reoriented their entire life around Jesus. Because that's what it means to follow Jesus.” (38:15)

• Jesus is Worth Following

  • “He’s the only thing worth following in life.” (39:00)

  • “Where he’s calling you is better than where you are.” (39:30)

• Clarity on Salvation vs. Following

  • Salvation is a one-time decision, but following Jesus is about daily commitment (Luke 9:23).

Addressing the Doubters: “I Tried, But It Didn’t Work”

• Reframing the Effort
  • It’s not about “I tried and it didn’t work”; God is still working:

    “When we say I tried, [God] says your grammar stinks. … Jesus said, ‘Come and follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.’ Who’s the subject? It’s Jesus. … God is still working.” (43:41)

  • Encouragement not to give up—God’s not finished.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “Change is hard. But with God, change is possible.” (06:32)
• “God calls ordinary people like you and me to extraordinary purposes.” (11:12)
• “Come, follow me. … The first time somebody ever said those words in the Bible.” (12:21)
• “If it’s important enough to do tomorrow, it’s important enough to do today.” (26:44)
• “To take hold of what God’s calling you to, you have to let go of what’s holding you back.” (28:10)
• “The hardest step is the first step out the door every day.” (33:09, Katie’s advice)
• “Change is not a one-time decision. It’s a one-time decision with a daily commitment.” (36:54)
• “He’s the only thing worth following in life. The good news of Jesus is this. It’s that he’s that good.” (39:00)
• “God is still working. So maybe you shouldn’t be done working either.” (44:52)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:34] Top New Year’s resolution categories and research
• [06:32] Humorous story: the family dog and failed resolutions
• [09:38] Introduction to Mark 1 and Jesus’ call to the disciples
• [14:00] The disciples’ immediate response (“at once”)
• [23:40] Why people make immediate decisions for things they believe are better
• [26:44] Action step: start now if it’s important
• [28:10] Action step: let go of what’s holding you back (Hebrews 12:1)
• [33:09] The running story and the importance of taking the first step
• [36:54] Change as a daily commitment, not a one-time event
• [39:00] The meaning of fully following Jesus
• [43:41] For those discouraged by failed efforts—God is still working
• [44:52] Encouragement to persist: God hasn’t stopped working

Conclusion

This episode provides faith-based wisdom and practical steps for anyone seeking change, from those who want to tweak a single area of life to those who feel their entire existence needs rebooting. Listeners walk away with scriptural context, real-life examples, and the conviction that with God, transformation—real and lasting—is not only possible but invited. The call is to act today, let go of what’s holding you back, start walking, and keep going, because Jesus promises, “Follow me, and I will make you become…”