I Quit!
Have you ever had a day, week, month, year or life where you felt like that throwing in the towel, and walking away? You studied for the test for 3 weeks, but when the grades came back you got another C. You worked on the presentation all night, but when you gave it to the boss he decided not to use it. You bought the “right” clothes drive the “right” car, but you’re still not accepted by the “right” crowd.
Nobody would blame you for wanting to give up. I certainly wouldn’t because I’ve been there. The secret is even though you want to give up you can’t.
Believe it or not God actually thought about throwing in the towel one time. Listen to the words of Genesis 6:7, “And the Lord said, ‘I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, from man to animals to creeping things and to birds of the sky; for I am sorry that I made them.” People had not turned out like God wanted. We were rebellious, stubborn; the Bible says “the earth was filled with violence”. Praise God, though, quitting was not an option for God, and if you’re a Christian it’s not an option for you!
It’s not in your nature to be a quitter! In America, and the world at large, giving up means admitting failure and defeat. It is the same as confessing incompetence. Incompetence, as we see it is a sign of weakness. It’s admitting that you’re not Superman, but no one is competent in everything!
Let’s take a short test. Think to yourself which one of these people is most competent.
- Arnold Schwarzeneger
- Mahatma Gandhi
- Brooke Shields
- Mother Theresa
The List could go on and on, but I think you get the picture; everyone is competent in different activities. Just as God made no two leaves alike; He made no two people alike, and no one, of themselves, is worthy to receive His Grace.
Listen to the words of Psalm 14:1-3, “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, they have committed abomninable deeds; there is no one who does good. The Lord has looked down from heaven on the sons of men, to see if there are any who understand.; who seek after God. They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.”
At times we all feel worthless like what we’re doing doesn’t matter to anyone; like we’re not helping anyone. When I get that feeling like I’m totally useless to God and man I think about two things. One, I think about the story of the young boy on the seashore throwing starfish back in the ocean. He was asked by a man what he was doing? The boy said that he was saving the starfish by putting them back in the water. The man told the boy that there were too many starfish for him, and he couldn’t make much of a difference. As the boy threw a starfish back in the water he looked at the man and said “I made a world of difference for that one.”
Secondly, I think about the garden of Gethsemane. On the night of His arrest Jesus took His disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray about what He knew was coming, and in that prayer He taught us something about giving up. He showed us that it is acceptable, even noble, to give up, or surrender; if you are surrendering your life to the purposes and plans of God! Listen to His words, “…My Father, if it is possible let this cup pass from me; yet not as I will, but as Thou will.”(Matthew 26:39)
He taught us in His sacrifice; that giving up to God, so that His will is completed is the noblest thing we can do!
Father, When things in my life get overwhelming, and I feel absolutely useless I ask that You would cause me to remember that even though my plans did not come out like I wanted I only need to keep my focus on You and You will cause them to work together for my good. In Jesus’ name, Amen
The above image from the web can be found at:
Yes, You Can Ministry 