As Christians, we like staying the course. We don’t quit. But, to get us where God wants us to go, we sometimes need to leave what’s familiar behind.
We teach our children what we’ve been taught. Finish what you start. Vince Lombardi, legendary American Football coach, said it best. Winners never quit, quitters never win.
But, what if God is calling me to quit?
At first glance this might seem like an odd question to consider. If there is a quality that we should shine in, Christians are expected to not be quitters.
There are the no-brainers. We don’t quit our marriages, spouses, kids, jobs that pay the bills, or any other obligation God has clearly given us responsibilities for.
We don’t quit love. We keep loving Christ, others, and life, even if we suffer, cry, and fail at times to do so.
But, there are the gray areas. The thought of quitting can creep in like a cold draft finding it’s way under the covers.
I’m talking about that dream or little pebble that won’t go away. In order to pursue it, we’d have to consider letting go of things we’re holding onto.
I toss and turn at night. The balance sheet of pros and cons somehow cancel each other out. Poor Hubby can only pray for deliverance from countless hours of playing the “what if” game whenever this happens.
In the end, it’s just between God and me, where the surrounding walls are painted a pale shade of gray.
This is where Faith steps in. This is when I must open the door and let her in.
Last week, I did it. I turned off the shop lights on a business I started two years ago. And turned on FaithBarista.
Yep, when I became a mom, I no longer wanted to work outside the home, to bring up baby.
I hatched a plan to start an online business as a means to generate income. Through circumstance of the economy going sour and a lot of talking with God, I realized He was freeing me to put the business aside. Pick up my pen and write.
Trust me, Bonnie. Just do it. Close your eyes. And trust me.
Here is the article I posted on Silicon Valley Moms Blog, that told everyone I was quitting and why: A Mompreneur Turns Out the Shop Lights.
I wish I could say I’m not looking back. But, that wouldn’t be honest. The rear view mirror has more than one use.
But, I know where I want to be going. It’s wherever God’s telling me to go. One street light at a time. No map for this journey.
I’m exhilarated and I’m also a bit scared. I look over at who I’m with. It’s Jesus. With a smile. We’ve got the top down for this ride. He’s not giving me any hints, either.
Just keep driving, Bonnie. Keep driving.
Share with me, has God ever led you to something new by asking you to leave something behind? What encouraged you to let go?
It’s hard driving without the directions up front. Here are some verses that are encouraging me.
“So, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see,” Hebrews 11:1
Allow me to leave this post with an excerpt from the most beautiful poem about starting journeys and ending others:
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.. a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away..” Ecclesiates 3:1,6
[ This post was inspired by an article I read on Michael Hyatt’s Blog, “What Keeps You Going When You Want to Quit?” ]
8 Comments
Hi there Bonnie! I really like this post. I sometimes think that Christians believe that following Christ means pretending that you’re content or happy when you’re not. That’s simply not true. Ask David or Jesus abou that…
I’ve had a few “watershed” moments in my life. One of them was when I saw this writing hanging in a doctor’s office:
After a while you learn
the subtle difference between
holding a hand and chaining a soul
and you learn
that love doesn’t mean leaning
and company doesn’t always mean security.
And you begin to learn
that kisses aren’t contracts
and presents aren’t promises
and you begin to accept your defeats
with your head up and your eyes ahead
with the grace of woman, not the grief of a child
and you learn
to build all your roads on today
because tomorrow’s ground is
too uncertain for plans
and futures have a way of falling down
in mid-flight.
After a while you learn
that even sunshine burns
if you get too much
so you plant your own garden
and decorate your own soul
instead of waiting for someone
to bring you flowers.
And you learn that you really can endure
you really are strong
you really do have worth
and you learn
and you learn
with every goodbye, you learn…
— Veronica Shoffstall, “Comes the Dawn” (1971)
@Katdish: Yes. I think sometimes Christians get carried away “retouching” life. That’s too bad because where is there room for faith, and where is our humanity? I wish more people would get real.
As for the writing you found hanging on the doctor’s wall: It was killing me softly with each line. So many goodbyes. So many tears. How I wish I learned love earlier from someone who has learned! Am I really strong? Do I really have worth? Let me learn. Let me learn. Thank you for leaving me with this “watershed” poem, Katdish.
Yikes, what katdish said! I don’t think I can improve upon that other than to say that it’s the things that we hold close that are often what God calls us to surrender to Him. Not so He can take them away, but so He can borrow them and return to us something much better.
@Billy: Nice. If only we could see what we’d get in exchange. 😉
[…] if a dream is dying, God will return to you a new one, better than you’d […]
Thanks for this article. 🙂
Yeah, this year I resigned from 10 years of teaching in Illinois. I felt like the Lord was calling me to just let go, and through a series of events, it was confirmed. In this past spring was was learning to hear God’s voice, obey, and let go and move forward. It’s amazing how quickly things can change! I am now studying at Christ For the Nations Institute in the school of worship in Texas. I am here only for the one year program, and I have just completed one semester. I am looking forward to the plans ahead. It is definitely a trust walk with our awesome, faithful Father. I am learning one step at a time to simply follow His footsteps learning totally on my trust in Him. God bless you! Nice to meet you! 🙂
Hi Christine – Happy to meet another faith barista — and you’re getting filled yourself in this season of new faith. It’s encouraging to hear how you are seeing God faithful, on the otherside of quitting. I am excited for you — to see how this year will be shaping His plan for you! It is a daily trust, for sure. Thnks for sharing.
Hi, Bonnie 🙂
Thank you so much for taking the time to respond! I have really enjoyed reading your blogs. 🙂 Well, I took another step of faith today, and I auditioned for worship teams. I should know in the following days whether or not God has a plan to use me on a student team here at the school. I will wait and see. Also, I’m looking for an internship for this semester. As the Lord leads, please pray that He will open up the right doors for the internship. I will need to find one by February 1. I am praying that as I trust Him, all the plans and purposes of His heart will unfold. I’m looking forward! 🙂 May you have a great week in our King!