Let It Be

A few weeks ago Adam, Jess and I celebrated Adam’s birthday by going to see Paul McCartney in Atlanta. Although Adam and Jess loved the show, in truth the concert may have been more a gift for me.  But after all, Adam wouldn’t have a birthday if it wasn’t for me, so I should be honored on his day, right?

I’ve had a crush on Paul McCartney since I was a little girl in the sixties watching the black-suited, bowl-hair-cut Beatles invade the US. He always seemed to be the most grounded of the Fab Four and over the years I have come to appreciate his musical genius. Still handsome and funny at 83, he played for almost three hours, trading out guitars several times and moving effortlessly from guitar to piano.

The light show, special effects — actual fire shooting up from the stage during Live and Let Die — and background videos of the Beatles horsing around were wonderful. But the high point of the evening for me was Paul sitting quietly at the grand piano, singing Let It Be. The simplicity and power of the song brought tears to my eyes.

Let It Be came out in 1970, and while its origin may be debated, Paul’s story is that his mother came to him in a dream during a time when the Beatles were in turmoil, close to their eventual breakup. She had died when he was only 14, so hearing her speak words of wisdom was a comfort to Paul. Those words continue to comfort me today.

Let It Be has become a mantra to me in the last few years. When my thoughts careen out of control with anxiety, or I find myself jealous or angry, I admonish myself to Let It Be. I’m struggling to learn this simple phrase and incorporate it into my life – to learn to let go of what is unimportant and focus on the good and positive that is all around me.

Today we might say Let It Go, from the Frozen movie, or Don’t Sweat It. Let Them, from the recent book by Mel Robbins, has made its way into our public consciousness with a similar theme of letting go of expectations we have for the people in our lives and our need to control them.

As Christians, we are called to not just let our problems and concerns ride, but to give them over in prayer to God. Another Paul wrote this version of Let It Be over two thousand years ago:

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (I Peter 5:7)

A few verses down, Paul (of Tarsus) says:

After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace … will himself restore, empower, strengthen, and establish you. (I Peter 5:10)

So beyond just Let It Be, we are given this promise – that our God will heal us, strengthen us and give us the power to face whatever is before us. We can rest in that promise.

As we enter this holiday season, when family issues are often magnified and tempers can run short, I hope you will remember the words of both  Pauls —  Let It Be and Cast your anxiety on God.

Just keep singing those words and we will find the answer.

Here is one of my favorite renditions of Let It Be – Billy Joel and Paul McCartney together in 2008 – when we were all a lot younger!