IMO: You Should Just Give Up - Friday
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (NIV)
When was the last time you felt like quitting? If it's been more than a month or two, you’re probably the exception, not the rule. If I’m honest with myself, I often find quitting to be a very attractive path.
A ton of people in the Bible quit. John Mark bailed on Paul on missionary trip #1. Seven of Jesus’ disciples went back to their old job, fishing, after the resurrection. Moses quit for 40 years after he killed the Egyptian. Elijah quit after defeating the false prophets of Baal, then ran for his life, sat down under a tree, and asked God to kill him. John 6 tells us that many of Jesus’ ardent followers bailed on him after He began to get gut-level honest about what it meant to follow Him.
Quitting is all over the Bible, but here’s the good news—so is restoration. Remember Jonah running from God, becoming “lunch” for a big fish, and then getting a second chance? Chapter 3:1 says, “Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time.” Who would give a whiny, obstinate guy like Jonah a second chance? The answer of course is, “God would.” How many chances has He given you? As for me, I’ve lost count.
Proverbs 24:16 says, “For a righteous man falls seven times and rises again.” In other words, stumbling need not be fatal, and falling doesn’t make one a failure. Failure only comes when we say, “I was pushed.” Every time we blame others or rationalize our mistakes away, we fail ourselves. Think about it.
There are basically two kinds of failures: moral failure, and failure to meet certain goals or objectives. If we repent, God will always forgive both; people may not forgive, but God does. At the end of the day, isn’t that all that matters? Here’s the bottom line on failure: Confess it, get back up, and press on.
Friday’s Reflection
They’re called the Paradoxical Commandments. I’m not certain who wrote them (some say Mother Teresa), but they certainly say a lot, and they’re a great way to end this week’s devos! You can read them here.
