“When did you want a quit?”, asked my close friend and intern Derek. I responded with confidence that there was never a time since starting Gateway when I felt like throwing the towel. It hasn’t been easy, but this assignment has been way too fun and rewarding to consider the “q” word.
As I drove away from the coffee shop, the haunting memory of last week’s mountain bike race flooded my memory. The Silver Rush 50 in Colorado ate my lunch. Six hours into the race somewhere around mile marker 38, I rode a few miles off course. With no water, dehydrated, lost, and no chance of making my next cut off time, I was forced to quit. Not gonna lie. It was humbling. After finishing 30 prior events, three letters d.n.f. (Did Not Finish) will try to follow me.
Here are a few thoughts that may help when we feel like quitting.
Remember Jesus
And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. Hebrews 12:1-3
Focus on the main thing
Don’t let distractions or lesser things take you out. My friend Steve Pike always says, “Keep doing the right things for the right reasons.” Don’t deviate from the mission. I almost lost my wife and kids several years ago. Listening to Steph tell me she was done because I placed ministry above family destroyed me. It was the closest I came to quitting the ministry. I learned a valuable lesson that my ministry would only be as strong as my marriage and family.
Cheer for someone else
The very next day, my boy Brian Jones finished a 50 mile race by foot on the same course. It was amazing how my spirit lifted when my attention shifted to Brian.
Be prepared
Next year, I will be back for unfinished business. A lack of planning and preparation should never be an excuse for quitting.
Dig deep
I wonder how often people quit a job, the ministry, or a relationship to early. Nothin’s easy. It’s tempting to quit when you suffer, but realize the hardest part may be behind you. Anyone can toe the line, but the finish line and reward is for those who never give up.
What are your thoughts about quitting verses finishing?
7 comments
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July 29, 2010 at 2:13 pm
joe garcia
This I needed…..perfect timing.
July 29, 2010 at 2:43 pm
Angie Posadas
Wow!! This really spoke to me! Thanks John!
July 29, 2010 at 3:15 pm
Raul Gonzalez
I needed this in many ways. Thanks for sharing and being completely honest with us.
I want to try one of these mountain biking races at some point. Is there anything like this in San Antonio? I think I want to try to FINISH too!
July 29, 2010 at 3:19 pm
John Van Pay
Thanks guys. Hey Raul, you can definitely finish a mt bike race. It gives you an incentive to train as well. Most mt bike races have different classifications and usually have one for beginners. Here is a link you can check out. I just wish they were not all on Sundays. Kind of kills my racing season.
http://www.tmbra.org/
July 29, 2010 at 7:41 pm
LeeAnn
Sometimes quitting simply means just removing yourself from a race or position that you are just too tired to finish or perhaps your reason for racing is no longer present. You find that your motivation is not for the reason it once was so you need to “quit” so you can re-focus on what is most important. To “quit” can often times be the best thing you can do for yourself, your family and even your relationship with God!
JVP .. as for your mtn bike race in CO .. no worries .. be proud of the time you spent with your family .. the support you gave to Brian J. and know that “your race” is still on and you haven’t quit the race that is most important!
July 29, 2010 at 9:14 pm
Brian
Hebrews 12:1-3 is my mission verse. Check out The Message version and imagine a football coach delivering this in a pregame speech:
Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!
No mention of 20…60…80…?
July 29, 2011 at 2:52 pm
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