Friend, Don't Give Up

Thick heat pierced the stillness of the forest as a girl sat crying under the emerald canopy.  She thought back to years before, starting a project that had only continued to grow on her heart.  Long hours, endless study, revision and starting over.  And yet, in a few words, her hopes were crushed.  As the summer day stifled her tears in the humid air, she wondered if she should give it up.  Rocks bruised her feet as she shifted on a hard log.  Her eyes stared out into the endless green.

She was only one person.  Only torrents of tears that no one saw.  But across the country, the same feeling broke other hearts.

Someone tried hard as time raced too fast, but he failed anyway.

A relationship shattered, leaving a woman's life broken as she wondered if her life had purpose anymore.

Sometimes they wanted to just give up.

But what they didn't know is that they weren't ever alone.  In the darkest times, the hardest trial, they were loved.  And even in the stifling heat, a cool breeze was waiting to wash over them when they raised their voice for help.

Dear Friend,

Life is confusing.  It hurts sometimes.  But you are loved.

Recently, a discouraging message made me wonder if I should give up a writing project that was important to me.  I was that crying girl, hiding under the forest trees and wondering why my words were wasted if I had asked God to guide me in their writing.

But the point was that nothing was wasted.  Even though I wanted to throw the project in the leaves and leave them alone so no one could read them, they had a purpose.  My words - no matter how flawed - had purpose because I wrote them for Him.

They need revision, correction, and maybe parts need to be deleted altogether.  But I can't give up.  We can't give up.  Not when God has thrust us on an adventure to bring something to completion.

Every talent, gift, and longing has a purpose, even when we don't know what it is.

It doesn't matter how many people read your words, hear your voice, or see your name.  All that matters is that you live every moment for Him.

And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

- Colossians 3:17

 As one of my favorite bloggers wrote,

Sometimes you feel ordinary, and everyone seems to be able to do life better than you, and look prettier, and write better, and reflect Jesus more. But you share anyway because God is right there revealing Himself. He whispered that anyone can be used of Him, and no one is mediocre because He hand designed every facet of us all for a specific purpose.

- Jessica from Apples of Gold

No, we can't do it on our own.  But He never asked us to.  We can face trials and temptation because the One who is in us is greater than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4).  We can press on because Christ is our fortress, our tower, our shield (Psalm 144:2).

Friend, it's okay to be weak and see our faults.  But in our weakness, don't be discouraged; instead let the trials turn your eyes upon Jesus.

So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without His unfolding grace... The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever.

- 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 MSG

Let us not grow weary in doing good (Galatians 6:9), because God has a purpose.  He knows our future and will carry us onto the day of completion.

Whatever it is - living out hard things, struggling to be still in His presence, or just getting out of bed in the morning  - press on, friend.  You are loved.  And you're never alone.

God is our refuge and strength,

A very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear,

Even though the earth be removed,

And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.

- Psalm 46:1-2

(ps)  This song by Josh Groban inspired me in writing this post.  I will warn that there's some immodesty in the music video, but the message of the lyrics has encouraged me multiple times.

~♥~