Jesus said, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62, NLT) Serious words, aren’t they? Even Pastors think about quitting; well, at least changing churches. I’ll admit that when the budget is tight, when lots of ‘people needs’ pile up, when I’m staring at a blank computer screen wondering what to say on Sunday morning, when the pressure is on to produce bigger numbers for our reports – I sometimes daydream about another place, an easier assignment in life. It is an escapist thing, and I don’t linger long in that fantasy land, because it is a waste of time to do so! My son calls me ‘the finisher,’ because he says I don’t know how to quit! I hope he’s right.
In too many situations we too ready to call it quits these days.
- Too many marriages end, not because of terrible abuse or infidelity which are reasons to dissolve the covenant, but just because two people will not stick with each other and work through the inevitable conflicts that arise in life.
- Too many people change jobs when their boss is overbearing, or they are passed over for a promotion, or they get bored. When they do say, “I quit,” they bring financial hardship on themselves and/or their families. The pursuit of ‘better’ leads to one start after another, and often to a life lived far below the person’s potential.
- Too often Joe and Sally Christian quit their church because of a difference with a leader or a dry stretch in the Pastor’s ministry. If they would stick it out, they could find a blessing. Their lack of commitment frequently has unintended consequences, too. For example, Last week a young woman who has been spiritually wandering for about 5 years told me, “It started when my parent’s pulled me out of the church where I had a spiritual home just because they were unhappy. I lost my roots, my anchor, and then my way.” I wonder how many other kids would say the same, if they could?
One of the key traits of a mature disciple of Jesus Christ is perseverance. In the Scripture there are several synonyms for this word: patience, endurance, and longsuffering. James tells us to "Take the old prophets as your mentors. They put up with anything, went through everything, and never once quit, all the time honoring God. What a gift life is to those who stay the course! You’ve heard, of course, of Job’s staying power, and you know how God brought it all together for him at the end. That’s because God cares, cares right down to the last detail." (James 5:10-11, The Message)
The kingdom of God needs more finishers, people who show up even when they don’t feel like it, who do what they’re called and equipped to do even when they’re bored or tired. We need steady men and women who are willing to say: “I know that God has called me. My feelings are secondary to my commitment. I’ll serve, I’ll stay, I’ll love – so help me God!” Those kind of disciples are key players, incredibly valuable, and the ones who get things done for God, often quietly and without accolades – but it matters little, for they serve for the joy of obedience, not for applause or even self-fulfillment. (Yes, I know that paragraph reads like heresy to the average ‘happy hungry’ American who can’t imagine doing anything hard for any length of time.)
Here’s some of the best encouragement you will ever get on the subject of commitment and endurance. "Since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne." (Hebrews 12:1-2, NLT)
Duty is not a bad word, disciple.
Are you considering quitting- your covenant with your spouse, dealing with that teenage rebel, your ministry, a relationship that is hard, your church? Pray about it! Tell God how you feel. Your emotions are real, so don’t deny them. Then, listen carefully for the Spirit’s counsel. “Run with endurance!”
And remember this glorious promise for the weary, the battered, the bruised who remain faithful to the Lord: “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore, “they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them. Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” (Revelation 7:14-17, NIV)
____________
Am I a soldier of the cross,
A follower of the Lamb.
And shall I fear to own His cause,
Or blush to speak His name?
Sure I must fight if I would reign,
Increase my courage, Lord:
I'll bear the toil, endure the pain,
Supported by Thy Word.
And when the battle's over We shall wear a crown!
Yes, we shall wear a crown! Yes, we shall wear a crown.
And when the battle's over, We shall wear a crown
In the new Jerusalem.
When The Battle's Over
Watts, Isaac / Waters, Harriette / Lind, A.E.© Public Domain
No comments:
Post a Comment