Give up 

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”‭‭

2 Corinthians‬ ‭12:9-10‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“Never give up!”

“If at first you don’t succeed try again!”

“I think I can, I think I can….!!.”

Now there is certainly a time and place for all of these words of encouragement but when I read this scripture it seems to have a different theme. Our world champions people who make it to the “top.” The top of their class, the top of the company, the top of the pay scale. It seems to be the “thing” to do. Rise to the top! Be the best! Don’t show your weakness! Put your game face on! Generations of people have sought the “American” dream to have the highest paying job, live in the largest house, drive the biggest car and have the latest devices. It all focuses on the ability of the individual to never give up and reach for the stars. Again, there is a time and place for this focused achievement, but the danger is when this mentality slips into our spiritual life.

Simply put. In order to get to the “top” in God we must GIVE UP! We must recognize our weak nature and trust only in the strength of our Savior. We must realize we are absolutely nothing without him and only through him can we be anything. To succeed in his kingdom we must lay aside the stars we have been reaching for and get down on our knees. It goes against our nature, it goes against our culture, but to go anywhere in his kingdom giving up is vital.

How do we live out that biblical model in our self-driven world? Paul said that he “died daily.” Daily we must give up. Daily we must lay down our desires. Daily we must surrender our hopes and dreams only to seek his perfect will in our lives. Daily we must give-up in order to grab ahold of all that God has prepared for us.

Lord, today let me let go of all the earthly things I have been reaching for. Let me reach for the eternal. Surrendering my own desires and my own kingdom and seek only Yours!