There are times when giving up is a stronger temptation than others. For me, those times happen the most when life is quiet or there’s a lull, and little concerns from deep down have a chance to surface. Quiet times can be dangerous because it’s during those times when it’s easier to feel apathy. It’s easier to stop caring about our goals.
I just started my twentieth week of blog-writing, and if there was a time I was ever tempted to quit, this might be that time. Fresh ideas don’t jump out and I’m a little tired. I look at my outline for the year and realize I’m not even half-way done! How can I finish this thing? Also, not much is going on in life right now except the same old routine, and as I’ve stated above, it’s easy to lose my sense of purpose during a mundane patch.
Times like these are when I need to reach down, really deep, and figure out what I want long term and what will be best for me. Why did I make this goal? How will if affect me if I quit? What do I have to gain if I plug away and finish what I started?
Regardless of my insipid feelings of the moment, I know the answers to these questions. The answers in fact contradict my current feelings. If what I want at the moment and what I want in my life as a whole contradict each other, I know which desires I want to win—my lifelong desires.
A season of discouragement or whatever obstacle you or I may face will pass. If we stick to our purpose, regardless of how we feel, we will be so glad in the end. Giving up is easy. Sticking with it can be hard. But I’m going to put one foot in front of the other and keep moving.
That's why my favorite Bible verse is Galatians 6:9, "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." Life can get tedious. But there is great reward when we keep going in a worthy pursuit, even when we may be tempted to give up.
ReplyDeleteThanks. That's a great verse!
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