Q is for Quit

One of my favorite poems is the "Don't Quit" poem-author unknown.

Don't Quit

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest, if you must, but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about,
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don't give up though the pace seems slow--
You may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than,
It seems to a faint and faltering man,
Often the struggler has given up,
When he might have captured the victor's cup,
And he learned too late when the night slipped down,
How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out--
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far,
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit--
It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.

- Author unknown



In God's world-he doesn't quit on us. The saints who have experienced dry and dark periods in their spiritual lives have written to encourage us and remind us that the dawn is moments away from the darkest time of night.

So, is there ever a time when it is okay to quit? I think there is but I think it is hard to discern when quitting is the right thing to do and it isn't just giving up too soon.

Of course, giving up too soon implies that there is a goal in mind and an end. If that is the case, then it is possible that one needs to keep trying if the goal is worthy.

What about the decisions where there isn't a goal? A couple of years ago I quit several things I was involved in. After praying about it, discussing it with others and analyzing whether I should quit or not I believed it was the right thing to do. As I look back over what happened in my life and with the programs I know it was the right thing to do.

However,the year after I stepped down was very difficult. Very early, I started questioning whether or not I should do things. Fortunately, early in the year I made another decision to not get involved in anything unless I felt beyond a doubt that God wanted me to get involved. I wanted whatever I resumed doing to be a ministry and to serve God and to not just be something I did to satisfy my needs or pride or whatever.

The year was difficult not because opportunities didn't present themselves for me to get involved it was difficult because I kept hearing God say "no" or "not yet."

I learned some hard lessons that year about myself, God and others and about why people get involved or don't get involved. Many of these lessons I could not have learned had I stayed actively involved.

One important lesson that took the whole year started after about six months of hearing "no". I began to believe that maybe I didn't have a place or talents or anything to do for God. God had other ideas and by the year's end I had learned that God is in charge, has His own timetable and a place and purpose for all-including me.

If you are considering quitting something-don't quit yet. If you are considering becoming involved in something-don't start yet. Pray about it and be open to whatever answer God gives you. He won't lead you in the wrong direction.