The apostle Paul could have given up so many times during his journey of spreading the gospel to the gentiles. Throughout his life, he was faced with some of the many things we are faced with (and even more), but he did not use those situations as a reason to throw in the towel and give up serving where God had placed him.
Some of the reasons Paul could have given seemed valid for quitting or for not getting into the ring in the first place. Do any of these sound familiar to you:
Reason #1 to quit or not get into the ring
I get easily tired and worn out when serving; I just can’t take serving with everything else I have to do—my job, house chores, and my family, they just don't understand why I have to be serving for 2 hours once a week to teach kids, they think it is too much. My body is just not that strong.
What would Paul say?: Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:8-10)
Paul had a weakness in his body, yet he served, he did not use that as a reason not to serve.
Reason #2 to quit or not get into the ring
My job is so demanding there is just no way I can give some time and volunteer to serve in children’s ministries. I mean I have to take care of myself and family by working. I can’t just quit my job to serve in ministry, God understands that I can’t do both.
What would Paul say?: Nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, Not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us. (2 Thessalonians 3:8-9)
Paul worked and toiled day and night to earn his bread, yet he did not use that as a reason not to serve.
Some of the reasons Paul could have given seemed valid for quitting or for not getting into the ring in the first place. Do any of these sound familiar to you:
Reason #1 to quit or not get into the ring
I get easily tired and worn out when serving; I just can’t take serving with everything else I have to do—my job, house chores, and my family, they just don't understand why I have to be serving for 2 hours once a week to teach kids, they think it is too much. My body is just not that strong.
What would Paul say?: Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:8-10)
Paul had a weakness in his body, yet he served, he did not use that as a reason not to serve.
Reason #2 to quit or not get into the ring
My job is so demanding there is just no way I can give some time and volunteer to serve in children’s ministries. I mean I have to take care of myself and family by working. I can’t just quit my job to serve in ministry, God understands that I can’t do both.
What would Paul say?: Nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, Not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us. (2 Thessalonians 3:8-9)
Paul worked and toiled day and night to earn his bread, yet he did not use that as a reason not to serve.
Reason #3 to quit or not get into the ring
I have to prepare for my future and my retirement. My career is just soaring and I have to invest in that in order to reap all the benefits that I will be entitled to. If I serve in kid's ministries now, I won’t be able to reach my goals and receive some of the benefits I am striving for—great retirement package, a big savings account. After all, I can always donate money to help those who can serve, right? God knows why I can’t physically serve. I will serve him with my finances. (I will serve when I retire--what will be the reason then not to serve?)
What would Paul say? Tell those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money. Money cannot be trusted. They should put their trust in God. He gives us all we need for our happiness. Tell them to do good and be rich in good works. They should give much to those in need and be ready to share. Then they will be gathering together riches for themselves. These good things are what they will build on for the future. Then they will have the only true life! (1 Timothy 6:17-19)
Paul invested in the eternal riches in his fight, let's learn from his example.
I have to prepare for my future and my retirement. My career is just soaring and I have to invest in that in order to reap all the benefits that I will be entitled to. If I serve in kid's ministries now, I won’t be able to reach my goals and receive some of the benefits I am striving for—great retirement package, a big savings account. After all, I can always donate money to help those who can serve, right? God knows why I can’t physically serve. I will serve him with my finances. (I will serve when I retire--what will be the reason then not to serve?)
What would Paul say? Tell those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money. Money cannot be trusted. They should put their trust in God. He gives us all we need for our happiness. Tell them to do good and be rich in good works. They should give much to those in need and be ready to share. Then they will be gathering together riches for themselves. These good things are what they will build on for the future. Then they will have the only true life! (1 Timothy 6:17-19)
Paul invested in the eternal riches in his fight, let's learn from his example.
Reason #4 to quit or not get into the ring
I’m not sure if this is my “calling”. Surely if God wanted me to do that, He would have told me. I will just pray and wait.
What would Paul say? I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. (2 Timothy 4:1-5)
Paul understood that serving was greater than any reason not to serve. Do we use some of these reasons to stop fighting the good fight of faith? Do we give up too easily? Do we think about throwing the towel in the ring? Let’s not be weary in doing good and complete what God has clearly stated each of us should be doing, making disciples of all nations, which includes reaching the largest population on the planet (children) with the gospel. Let’s not give up washing their feet (serving them) and let’s not throw that towel in to the ring, instead let’s use it to wipe their feet. Let’s serve the children with all we have and let’s complete every round in the fight knowing that God is with us empowering and equipping us to finish what He has called us to do.
He is in the ring with us, and with Him in the ring we know the battle is won.
Source: http://www.childrensministryleaders.net/3/post/2013/03/fighting-the-good-fight-dont-give-up.html
I’m not sure if this is my “calling”. Surely if God wanted me to do that, He would have told me. I will just pray and wait.
What would Paul say? I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. (2 Timothy 4:1-5)
Paul understood that serving was greater than any reason not to serve. Do we use some of these reasons to stop fighting the good fight of faith? Do we give up too easily? Do we think about throwing the towel in the ring? Let’s not be weary in doing good and complete what God has clearly stated each of us should be doing, making disciples of all nations, which includes reaching the largest population on the planet (children) with the gospel. Let’s not give up washing their feet (serving them) and let’s not throw that towel in to the ring, instead let’s use it to wipe their feet. Let’s serve the children with all we have and let’s complete every round in the fight knowing that God is with us empowering and equipping us to finish what He has called us to do.
He is in the ring with us, and with Him in the ring we know the battle is won.
Source: http://www.childrensministryleaders.net/3/post/2013/03/fighting-the-good-fight-dont-give-up.html
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