It's tough to give up

We are reminded over and over, whether from parents, coaches, or bosses, never to give up. Movies are built around the theme of a character(s) excelling and overcoming because they didn't give up (i.e. Rudy, Hoosers, Remember the Titans). I would agree with this theme when it's regarding our walk with Christ - never give up following Him. But, I was reading in Jeremiah this morning and was reminded that there is a time in our lives when giving up is called for.

The Israelites were in the midst of God's punishment for abandoning Him, and were on the verge of experiencing the complete destruction of Jerusalem and the remaining cities in Judah. Jeremiah, God's prophet and voice to the remaining Israelites, was calling for the king and people to surrender to the invading Babylonians - doing so would spare them from experiencing a devastating destruction. Surrender and save your life...or resist and lose it. Jeremiah was calling on them to surrender to God's way, or live the hard way.

Giving up is sometimes the easiest path...sometimes the hardest, especially when giving up is surrendering our idea of how life is to be lived, and submitting to God's way. Just like Jeremiah was challenging the Judean King to give in to God's way - we need to be reminded daily to surrender to God's way.

It's worth it...I guarantee it!