I’ve been a quitter my whole life. As a kid I took French for two weeks; ballet for a month; tennis for a season; gymnastics for three days. I tried everything. Just not for long. If I didn’t want to finish, no one ever made me. If I wanted to quit, it was ok. Part of childhood is about discovering what you like or dislike, and that’s what my parents were allowing me to do: try things. But was it really “trying?” Maybe. I never stuck around long enough to actually try. If it was hard, I quit. You can’t fail if you don’t try. Childhood is more importantly about learning life skills, such as working hard at, or for something.
When I got to college I hated it. It was like Christian Bootcamp. People were wearing tee shirts about Jesus and stopping on sidewalks to (wait for it) hold hands and pray. (Gasp!) I begged to come home several times per day for the entire first month. Well, imagine my surprise, my shock, when my parents said no. I was told I had to finish the semester, at least. WHAT?! Were they serious? “I tried. Can I please, come home?” Their answer was no every time, and I was furious! I had no choice, so, I stayed. I’m so thankful I did. I’m glad they didn’t let me quit.
At this point in my story you’re probably thinking, “Yay! She learned to not be a quitter.” Well, you’d be wrong. Four years later, I left college with two things: a degree AND most importantly, a relationship with Jesus. (Please note the list doesn’t include a “can do” attitude.)
You see, (Cue nostalgic backstory music). I followed my boyfriend to college, sort of. He was going to a vocational school and I picked a school within driving distance. That was criteria number one for my school choice. I ended up at a small Christian college. Never mind the fact that although technically I was a Christian as I believed in God and Jesus, I didn’t have a relationship with Him. Shortly after I resigned myself to finishing what promised to be the worst semester of my life (after about one month in) I got saved! Well, after that I wanted to stay and learn more about Jesus. There was no way I was leaving now. My salvation became my point of no return.
Remember when I said I begged to go home that first month? Remember how mad I was when they said no to quitting, because I didn’t get what I wanted in that moment? I can’t even imagine how different my life would be now had I quit. What God had planned for me in the long run was so much greater.
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
I didn’t understand that at the time when I was told, “No.” My Heavenly Father, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God was directing the path ahead. There was no turning back now. To quote Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Phantom of the Opera”, “…No backward glances. The games we’ve played till now are at an end…There’s no going back now…” God’s Triumph is always just past the point of no return.
That’s my story. What’s yours? Are there moments in your past where you can clearly see God’s Triumph just past where you thought? Perhaps a break-up that broke your heart but ultimately led you to “the one”? Perhaps a chance encounter that led to so much more?
Own Your Story 