GOD’S NOT A QUITTER

Have you ever stopped to think that God’s not a quitter? I hate that word. Quitter. I hate it because it’s a word that has stuck with me for decades – ever since it was first spoken over my life by someone very influential in my life. I was criticized. I was judged. I was called a quitter. And for someone as tenacious and committed as I can be, it was a tough word to hear. And still is. It is a word I wish I could say never defines me.

And though I suppose it never actually defines me, there are times when I do exactly that. Quit. Even though I am indescribably tenacious with the most important thing in the universe – the Lord – I am as human as anyone. And there are just things that I most assuredly do quit – whether I should or should not. But as much as I am completely capable of quitting, it is astounding to me that the Creator of the universe just never, ever quits. He has always been God, He is God, and He will always be God. And when He starts something, whether it be everything from creating the world itself to creating a sweet flower in the ground, He brings to completion that which He begins. Even us. And if anything when it comes to quitting versus staying the course amazes me, it is this.
What God begins in us, He finishes. Us? Yes, us. Me? Yes, me. You? Yes, you. I simply cannot fathom that as many times as I have found myself fallen and flailing on the ground from one mishap or mistake or sin or whatever, God has not quit on me. He is utterly tenacious. He is utterly committed. He is utterly perfect at perseverance. And whatever He has begun in us, He has every intention of finishing. I don’t know about anybody else, but this gives me HOPE. HUGE HOPE.

For no matter how many times I have wanted to give up on myself, or on someone else, or on something, or even on God (in my worst places), God has lovingly, faithfully, mercifully, drawn me to Him and reminded me of this. He is not finished. He is not done. It is not over. I am still alive. I am still breathing. And what He began, He will finish. Not me. Him. I am His. And He will continue what He began in me – until He is done. And may He get every single ounce of glory for taking someone as fallen as myself and beginning, continuing, and ultimately perfecting and completing the work He began in me. How humbled I am to be called His.

“I thank my God every time I remember you. 4In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:1-6 NIV

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