Sometimes you just feel like giving up!

Sometimes it's written all over them. It's in the way they carry themselves. It's in the way they dress. And I'm not talking about the age, style, cost, or condition of their clothes. I'm talking about the "I don't care" way they wear them. It's in the way they present themselves to the world physically; as in "I don't care how I look".


Sometimes it's so well protected and hidden that you may catch just a glimpse of it in their eyes in an unguarded moment


They gave up. At best they are in the process of giving up. And, true, some just never engaged in the first place. Life can be hard. Maybe we've all been at that point sometime in our lives.


It's a sad thing to see. Nobody has to give up. Nobody has to even think of giving up. True, whatever "it" is, some make it, some don't. But, no one was created to fail at "it". Keep in mind that "it" could be, is, different things to different people. The thing is, "it" (I'll stop using quotation marks in a minute) is not up to each of us to define. It was defined by God before He ever brought us into being.

Ephesians 2:10 (NKJV) For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

God's purpose for us does not change. He will accomplish it through us. We have only to give ourselves to Him so that His purpose will be achieved in our submission and obedience.

Psalm 138:8 (ESV) The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.

 

Psalm 57:2 (ESV)  I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.

 

God will achieve His purpose, if not through a willing and obedient servant, then even through the rebellious.

 

Proverbs 16:4 (ESV) The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.

 

Proverbs 19:21 (NIV) Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

 

We can find great hope in Jeremiah 29:11-13 which says:"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."

 

THE way to finding this hope is in Jesus Christ and Him alone. When we have Jesus in our lives, we have within us the source of all hope, the author of our purpose, and all the strength, wisdom, and guidance we need to see God's purpose for us fulfilled.  Seek Him with all of your heart, holding nothing back.

 

I don't have a music video for you this time, but the video I do have is a great example of what giving up can do to you and what persevering can do for you. It has been going around the internet and particularly facebook for a few days. Be inspired . . . Give up on giving up! It was Jesus Himself who said " . . . with God all things are possible."

Connected,

Dennis

PS It was good to see Diamond Dallas Page, too.