Read: Hebrews 12:1-17
Terry screamed, “Quitter!” at his younger brother as Jerry threw down his bat and stomped off the mound. “Quitter!”
Tears of self-pity sprang to Jerry’s eyes. He’d taken just about as much as he could take of teasing from his brother’s friends. They only let him play because Terry insisted. Now his brother was mad at him, too.
“Quitter!” Well, why not? What was the use anyway? Discouraged and hurt, Jerry rubbed his eyes and slumped out of the park and headed home. I may shake my head at Jerry, thinking he quit too soon. He shouldn’t have given up.
Then I look at my life and realize Jerry has lots of company, me being one. Consider the teacher who gives up a job she loves out of pure frustration? What about the family who hops from church to church whenever something or someone displeases, always trying to find the “perfect” fit. Many run from, instead of dealing with, negative situations or problems.
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
–Hebrews 12:1-3 (KJV)
What about me? How have I been a “quitter?” What about my rationalizations at watching a show that has lots of unhealthy language and situations–things that are clearly forbidden by Scripture. How often to I “give up” my standards to not make waves?
How often do I keep my faith to myself out of fear or embarrassment?
We seldom apply the term “quitter” to our choices. We use words like “rational,” “reality,” or “It’s not that big a deal.”
How many of these are euphemisms or excuses to do what I want to do instead of following God’s standards. Instead of being a light for Him, I shut off the flashlight. I walk away. “I quit.”
Maybe it is time to ask forgiveness, turn around and allow Jesus to shine His light through me, and that starts with monitoring what goes into my mind and out my mouth.
That means not calling others quitters either, but encouraging them to not give up, keep going and, most of all, turn to Jesus for comfort, strength and hope.
Help me, Lord, not to be a quitter who claims one thing, but acts another. Help me be the light You created me to be in every aspect of my life. Amen.
Meditations: Galatians
Monday: Chapter 1
Tuesday: Chapter 2
Wednesday: Chapter 3
Thursday: Chapter 4
Friday: Chapter 5
Saturday: Chapter 6
By Carolyn R Scheidies
From Listen! Who Me?