Are You A Quitter?

I have learned how to be both audacious and tenacious from my mother. Growing up she always instilled in me and my siblings the power of prayer and entrusting God with our heart’s desires. Dreams so big, and far removed from present reality, one could only whisper them in God’s presence. Even with her fierce faith in her Heavenly Father, she never once sat back waiting for miracles to materialise from thin air, she worked. I have heard many people speak about how they learned their work ethic from their fathers or grandfathers, I guess that’s only natural seeing that just a few generations back most women worked only in the home. My story has always differed from theirs because in bold and audacious ways my mother married her faith in God with her ability to put her hands to work, this I saw her do both in the home and outside the home. I could pick from hundreds of stories where my mother pressed on through difficult and exhausting times, yet for today’s blog, I will pick one…

In 2008 we moved into my mother’s first home. This was the culmination of several prayers, several sacrifices, several plot site visits, one including a tumble down a hill, and several decisions along with sweat and tears. I am sure if my mother could tell this story herself, she would admit to having had moments when she doubted it would happen or times when it seemed easier to give up, but she pressed on, not for just herself but also to give us an inheritance, a tangible one yes, but also one far more valuable than brick and mortar, one of faith and audacious dreams. We had heard her whisper prayers for God to give her a piece of land where she could build even just a one-bedroomed house for her and her children, little did she know that her Father had bigger plans in store for her. Without all the inside information, she did what she knew to do, she put some skin in the game and worked. Even being heavily pregnant with my brother was not going to slow her down. The dream was in sight and she was going to run across that finish line with everything she had. Packing up to move from the house we had lived in for a little over ten years, right in the middle of Lusaka town centre, we were stepping into her dream come to pass. As we cleaned and unpacked settling into our individual rooms after sharing a room our whole lives, my sister and I were very unaware of the seeds that were being implanted into our hearts. We had front-row seats to a show we were very unaware we were even watching. Now as adults, believing God for some pretty audacious things ourselves, we can see where it all began, we can trace our prayers back to hers, and when we are tempted to quit, we have unshakable knowledge that it is not in our blood. I am proud this is a part of my story, I am proud I come from her and I am thankful that when the rubber hit the road, though she may have had to slow down every once in a while, and course correct, she never once quit.

“So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time, we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit.” ~ Galatians 6:9 (MSG)

“I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” ~ Philippians 3:14 (NLT)

In a world that often glorifies instant gratification and quick success, the timeless wisdom of Galatians 6:9 and Philippians 3:14 shines as a guiding light for those who dare to fight their battles with unwavering determination. These verses encourage us not to grow weary in doing good and to press on towards the prize. Yes, there is a prize awaiting us if we finish our race and fight the good fight of faith well, yet part of the prize lies on this side of heaven, part of the prize is walking into the dreams come true, passing on seeds of faith and tenacity to those who have a front row seat to our lives. Today I want to explore the concept of not being a quitter, in doing so I will share three crucial points that I believe can help us endure the challenges along our individual journeys.

Reassess Your Load

One key, yet downplayed, aspect of persevering is to regularly reassess the load we carry. Just as a hiker might lighten their backpack to endure a long journey, we too must evaluate what we’re carrying on our path to the prize God has for us. This evaluation involves two components: acknowledging our limitations and adjusting our approach. Life is a complex revolving door of responsibilities, dreams, and commitments. Recognising our limits places a demand for humility that we are often not prepared to honour. What we don’t realise is that recognising our limitations doesn’t imply weakness, it demonstrates wisdom. It’s important to assess whether we’ve taken on more than we can handle. When our load is too heavy, we risk burnout and exhaustion, hindering our progress and testing our resolve to continue. Taking stock of our commitments allows us to make informed decisions about what to prioritise and what to let go. Yes, sometimes the bravest thing is to let go. On the other side of this coin is adjusting our approach as we proceed towards the goal. This involves seeking more efficient ways to manage our commitments and responsibilities. Are there areas where we can delegate, automate, or streamline processes? By doing so, we not only reduce the burden but also create space for creativity and innovation. Like a sculptor refining a masterpiece, we chip away at the unnecessary to reveal the true essence of our endeavours.

Determining important vs. urgent

To endure, it’s vital to differentiate between what’s important and what’s merely urgent. I’m not sure about you but in my life, urgency often masquerades as importance, tempting me to forget that the two concepts are distinct. Urgent tasks demand immediate attention, while important tasks contribute significantly to our long-term goals. When I was in Bible School (Rhema Zambia for the win), we were taught the Eisenhower Matrix, also known as the Urgent-Important Matrix, which is a valuable tool for making this distinction. Tasks are categorized into four quadrants as follows:

• Important and Urgent: These tasks require our immediate attention and contribute directly to our goals. They deserve our focus.
• Important but Not Urgent: These tasks are significant for long-term success. They require planning and prioritization.
• Urgent but Not Important: These tasks might be distractions or other people’s priorities. Delegation or elimination is recommended.
• Neither Important nor Urgent: These tasks are time-wasters and should be minimized.

By prioritizing tasks that align with our life’s mission, our goals and our values, we can navigate the clutter of urgency and stay on track. Philippians 3:14 urges us to keep our eyes on the prize, and by distinguishing between important and urgent, we as well on our way to staying committed to our journey.

Qualifying your determination

The journey of endurance is as much about the journey itself as it is about the destination, the answered prayers along the way to meet the One who answers face to face. All through Scripture, we see that perseverance yields its rewards at the right time. Have you ever stopped to consider that qualification is key to enduring through the wait? Qualifying your determination means cultivating qualities that fortify your resolve. Patience, resilience, and humility are essential mechanisms of qualification. Patience reminds us that good things take time. Just as a farmer waits for the harvest, we must trust that our efforts will bear fruit in their season. Resilience equips us to bounce back from setbacks and challenges, viewing them as opportunities for growth rather than roadblocks. Humility fosters a willingness to learn, adapt, and improve, relying fully on the One who has called us and allowing Him to prune and course-correct when needed. Then when all this is said and done, every good warrior knows that surrounding themselves with a supportive community can provide the encouragement and accountability needed to endure. By sharing our goals and challenges with trusted friends, mentors, or peers, we create a network of positivity that bolsters our determination.

In a world that often pressures us to quit when the going gets tough, I encourage you to remain steadfast on your journey. Reassess your load and remember that sometimes not being a quitter means taking time to access what you need to quit. Determine what is truly important versus what is urgently pulling at your attention, then qualify your determination as you embrace the path of endurance. The pursuit of your dreams is not a sprint, it’s a marathon. I pray that as you heed these truths, you equip yourself to stay the course, overcome obstacles, and eventually reap the rewards of your unwavering perseverance.