Why Don’t You Just Give Up?

“Once you learn to quit, it becomes a habit.” – Vince Lombardi

I do not know of anyone who likes to be known as a quitter. When I played sports growing up, that was just about the worst thing anyone could call you. However, as I reflect on the race of life that we are running, I am reminded of the need to prepare our hearts for Easter and be strong as we journey with Jesus towards the cross. The best way to do this is to quit our selfishness and to start serving others.

Christians all over the world began a special journey this past Wednesday. This is a 40 day trek that will take them through Lent and into Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter. This is a season of prayer, penitence and self -reflection. All followers of Christ, regardless of their denomination are called to get their hearts right with the Lord. Some think this requires believers to give up something they love in order to grow closer to God. While there are certainly Godly benefits to personal sacrifice, it is not an end in itself. There is more to it than that. Sacrifice without service is ultimately a very hollow experience. The Lord wants our entire lives to glorify God.

This time before Holy Week is there for all of us to take a personal inventory of our lives and confess our shortcomings to our loving Lord. The Scriptures remind us that everyone sins and fall short of God’s divine plan. The problem is compounded when we act as if we have made no mistakes and attack those we deem “sinners”. The Bible tells many stories of God forgiving those who are truly sorry for their actions and desire a new life. One good example comes to us in Matthew 9:10-13. “And as Jesus sat at dinner^* in the house, many tax-collectors and sinners came and were sitting^* with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax-collectors and sinners?’ But when he heard this, he said, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.”

I encourage all of you to be quitters in the coming months. Stop thinking about yourself and start looking out for your neighbors. You may find that your burden becomes much lighter when you help someone else carry their load. Quit gossiping and bickering amongst yourselves. A kind word at a difficult time can make a world of difference in a neighbor’s life. Stop trying to sacrifice for the Lord and start serving God’s kingdom and one another. Quitting is a wonderful thing when we put aside unhealthy habits and honor God with merciful hearts.

The 19^th Century Preacher Henry Ward Beecher puts it best when he writes, “In this world it is not what we take up, but what we give up that makes us rich.”

I pray that God will richly bless you in the coming 40 days as you grow closer to God and one another.

In Hope and Confidence,

Pastor Dave