When to Quit.
Vera Morales (from the Return to Me book 2) reminds me that it's easy to give up.
Even when we have a great vision for what we want for our lives, sometimes we reach the tipping point where throwing in the towel seems so much more preferable.
But in Vera's Story, though she's an optimist, life situations just gets to be too much for her.
Some countries encourage suicide in hopeless situations. There's a case right now, maybe you've seen it, filed by McKenna West, a surrogate mother in Alaska, who was recently told by the couple who 'hired' her to bear their child that they want to do a third term abortion of the baby she's carried all this time. Baby Gabriel. "He's unhealthy. Get rid of him." She's fighting to save his life, even willing to raise him herself if only to let him live.
But this world has such a low, function-oriented view of life. As in: "People have to be 'worth it' to live."
We can never find self-worth that stays. So, is there ever a time to quit?
Of anyone, the Prophet Jeremiah had a reason. God had said that the king of Israel would be delivered into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar. The prophet is imprisoned for speaking so negatively, Babylon is at the gates, everything is hopeless...
But God tells Jeremiah to buy a field. In other words, "This land and Israel's future is not forfeit."
God's solution for Israel's continual disobedience is Christ. He hints at this solution right after Jeremiah confusingly purchases the field:
Jeremiah 32: “You are saying about this city, ‘By the sword, famine and plague it will be given into the hands of the king of Babylon’; but this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says:
37 I will surely gather them from all the lands where I banish them in my furious anger and great wrath; I will bring them back to this place and let them live in safety. 38 They will be my people, and I will be their God. 39 I will give them singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me and that all will then go well for them and for their children after them.
40 I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me. 41 I will rejoice in doing them good and will assuredly plant them in this land with all my heart and soul.
The covenant that enables Israel to "never turn away" is the covenant of salvation through Christ. When the Holy Spirit fills a person, they're given a "singleness of heart and action" to always fear Him.
The exile was the final event that resulted in Israel's new devotion to God.
In your life, in my life, when things look overwhelming. When quitting seems easy. When "completely giving up" looks like the only way to escape the heartache, heartbreak, sorrow, and discouragement, don't forget Jeremiah's field.
Things are happening outside of our awareness. Movements of individuals and even nations are being orchestrated by God for his glory and for our security.
The exile of Israel was the final punishment against the nation for centuries of unfaithfulness. But at the same time, it was a sign that God was going to do something NEW. He was going to fulfill all his promises by the Holy Spirit indwelling those saved and forgiven by Jesus Christ.
The previous chapter gives more details:
Jeremiah 31:33 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
So, as for the final QUIT, remember Jeremiah's field.
The question is, what are you LIVING for? What are you WORKING for?
Even for the lesser decisions, where 'life' is not on the line. For the question of whether to push forward in difficulty or transition to another phase of life...the same principle applies: Never give up hope.
Do everything with "singleness of heart and action" and for the glory of God.
My stories always carry that same message of hope. If you haven't had the chance to read them, take a look here:
SELECTED DNB BOOK COLLECTION
Blessings,
Darlene