Quitters Never Win!!

This is my second essay post for the day....I apologize to those of you who don't like to commit to reading an ideology, liberation theology or just good old fashioned dogma but I have the words all bottled up inside me and I have to get them out; consider these essays a verbal exorcism if you will.

I work as a substance abuse counselor, so as you can imagine I hear my fair share of slogans, dogma and rhetoric on a regular basis. I heard something the other day that gave me cause to pause. Not because the statement was deep and profound because you'll recognize it when you read it; but, because I took the statement in a different direction.

The statement is: I can quit any time I want I have done it a million times.

Giving up is easy. There's no work in quitting and the payoff is equally unsatisfying. I analyzed the statement in a spiritual context. The first question I asked myself is what if Christ had quit? He verbally agonized about His purpose (Matthew 26: 39, Matthew 27:46) but He also followed through. Jesus demonstrated our human condition in grace and dignity, without sin

God took our human frailty and propensity to quit into consideration that's why He's given use Scripture to address our "delicate constitutions"

1 Corinthians 15:58 ESV  - Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

Luke 18:1 ESV  - And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.

James 1:12 ESV  - Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

James 5:11 ESV - Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

We are constantly reminded to stand and remain steadfast...because God created us with free will...we can choose to lean into Him and inherit His promises or we can quit because we feel that following Him and keeping His ways would be too hard for us. The reality of our choice is that life outside of Christ is infinitely harder.

The next time you feel like giving up...ask yourself what if Christ had quit?