Give In, Give Up, or Give It Your All

Let me begin by saying this was not the post I planned on writing tonight...

Through a series of circumstances, my mind has spun in a totally different direction to speak on the idea of determination

What is determination?

Determination (as defined by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary) is having "firm or fixed intention to achieve a desired end"

Have you ever gotten to the point where you just felt like continuing on would be pointless?

Ever thought to yourself, "Why do I even bother any more?"
or maybe even, "No matter how hard I try, I'm not seeing any results." 

Sometimes we come to the end of our rope. We feel like we are walking on a tread mill...we are working so hard and chugging along, but it doesn't matter how hard we run we aren't making any progress. At the end of the day we remain exactly where we started.

We look around and see the success of others and ask God why that can't be us. 

It's at times like these Satin begins to eat away at us, isn't it? He whispers lies in our ears, telling us that what we are doing isn't important and that we look foolish just wasting our time on something that has no reward in sight. 


We get discouraged and quit, but God is up there looking down at us saying "What are you doing?! I had such great blessings to pour out on you had you just labored a little bit longer! Why are you falling for satin's lies? Have I not told you over and over again that I have great things in stored for those who labor in my name?"

Which is what we so often forget. As long as we are working in the Lord's name to further His kingdom purpose, nothing we do is useless.  

The Bibles says in 1 Corinthians 15:58:
           "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."


I love the part in the movie "Facing the Giants" when Mr. Bridges comes into Coach Taylor's office to share a word of encouragement with him.
 For those of you who haven't seen the movie (or it's been a while since you have...) the school's football team was in a major losing streak and everyone was crashing down on the coach.  It would have been easy for him to say "You know what, why even bother with this anymore!? I work with these players every practice and we still lose! Everyone has something negative to say about me and how I coach. It'd be better off if I just gave up and went to another school." But is that what he did? Thanks to Mr. Bridges', no. 
Every time I listen to Mr. Bridges speak I get goose bumps. He refers to Revelation 3:8 which says:
              " I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name."
He continues to tell Coach Taylor that the Lord still has an open door for him there, and until the Lord closes that door he is to bloom exactly where he is planted. 
Taylor then confessed that he had been feeling discouraged. He had been praying, but didn't feel the Lord moving. Mr. Bridges then responded with a story of two farmers who both needed rain. Both prayed but only one prepared his field to receive it. He said that God will send the rain when HE is ready....all we can do is prepare for it. 
(I encourage you to watch the movie scene, you can do so by clicking here.)


One the best things about investing time, energy, and talents into the kingdom is that we are promised our work will not return void. Every little thing we do, God can use to bring about His will. We just need to remain diligent and determined. When satin attacks you and you feel like all is pointless, you have 2 choices. 

1. You can give in to Satin's lies and give up on God and His plan OR
2. You can remind Satin of the truth of the scriptures and give God your all.

What would you do?

We must remember that one determined person can make a significant difference, and that a small group of determined people can change the course of history.

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.

God will make a way, where there seems to be no way. He works in ways we cannot see. He will make a way for me. He will be my guide, hold me closely to His side. With love and strength fir each new day, He will make a way.

For with God, nothing shall be impossible.

I will send rain on your land at the right time, both in the fall and in the spring.

Live...Laugh...Love
Until Next Time,
Racheal <3