Don’t Quit!

swimmers in a lap pool

Don’t Quit!

I met a gentleman at the pool a couple weeks ago. On a Monday, I noticed him in the pool (he was hard to miss since he was in the lane I like to use!). The next day, he got to the pool as I was standing in my favorite lane stretching. He got in another lane and struck up a conversation. This gentleman—I never did get his name—told me that he was having back problems, but after having swum a few laps the day before he felt better than he had in a long, long time. He went on to tell me that he was confident that as he swam every morning his back would get better and better. I wished him well and started my routine; he didn’t swim as long as I did (most folks don’t), and he was gone when I got out of the pool. I haven’t seen him since. He had such high hopes for a swimming routine. He lasted two days and quit.

It’s highly possible that this new friend decided he preferred to sleep a little longer and head to the pool of an afternoon (I don’t swim too early on my days off). However, I’ve been a gym rat long enough to see many folks come exercise a day or two and then vanish into thin air. People have high hopes of losing weight or building muscle or getting in shape, but their goals fizzle when they need to put forth a little effort.

It’s one thing to allow a workout routine to peter out; it’s another thing altogether to allow one’s walk with the Lord to peter out. Jesus knew that many would turn from following him: “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God” (Lk 9:62). The Lord explained to his disciples why many would turn back from following him:

  • Some readily begin following the Lord, but “[w]hen trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away” (Mk 4:16-17).
  • Others fall away because “the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things” crowd out their service to the Lord (Mk 4:19).

You have too much to do to allow your service to God to wane. We’re not talking about building some muscle or losing some fat or feeling better or fitting better in your favorite jeans; we’re talking about heaven and hell.

You have much service to render to the Lord. You have many prayers to pray. You have many truths to teach. You have many hearts to comfort. You have much generosity to express. You have many brethren to encourage. You have many examples to set. You have many miles to carry your cross.

Pick up your cross today. Don’t look back. Don’t give up.


This article was originally written by Dr. Justin Imel, Sr., for the weekly newsletter at Church of Christ Deer Park in Deer Park, Texas.

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