Quitter

Sometimes what we call faithfulness is actually just stupidity.

Over the weekend, Ainsley and I talked about a goal we've had since we got married eight years ago. We've been chasing it all these years, but nothing has ever come of it. No raven has returned. So we finally decided to drop it and commit our energy to a new ambition that will bear more fruit. It took us 8 years to finally change course.

Moments of clarity like this are priceless. Most of us are conditioned to believe that we should stay committed at all costs. But when the return on investment is consistently zero, it's time to move on. If we can just get over the fear of quitting, we can get on with what God really wants us to accomplish. And it's exhilarating. Quitting isn't always a step-back; it can be a stepping stone.

Comments

[Tony McCollum]

Excellent post, Ben! The reality is that we need to focus ourselves on being effective.

[Ben Arment]

Tony, I'm so glad you quit your way to Fusion.

[Abby]

I would add that it is not only a fear of quitting, but also a fear of not "finishing well". I was a part of a ministry a few years ago that was not working. My thought was that if I just push through and get others to "see it(my) way". It was not only stupid (and a waste of energy), but also arrogant. When God walked me away from the situation, I learned SO much. The message of refiner's fire can be painful, but the process is very necessary. Thanks for the post.

[Steve Bradley]

Great post -- I'm a fan of "strategic disengagement," or letting go of the good that distracts from the great God's placed before you.

Irony I've found is that when we allow a dream to die, God often resurrects it in a way that never could have happened had we held on.

Either way, it takes courage to follow God's lead -- whether you're quitting or committing...

[Paige]

Bearing fruit and moments of clarity are amazing to see from married couples. I read an awesome blog from a pastor at Generate next gen ministry in Corona,Ca where he and his wife both posted blogs called "Bad Boys." www.generatelife.com/blog

[Marcia Shepherd]

I couldn't agree more. I think you might like my book, SHAKE THE DUST AND MOVE ON. Here is a sample of the beginning:
Perseverance is a positive, powerful characteristic that propels people through the darkness of grief, pain, setback, rejection, and opposition...Giving up, stopping short of a goal, or making an excuse to quit runs counter to most motivational "never-give-up" messages programmed into the conscience of successful people.
However, there are some situations that do not fit the typical, motivational model for success. There are some reasons that validate taking another course of action. There are some circumstances that demand an alternate plan. In short, there are times to prudently, decisively, without a twinge of guilt, SHAKE THE DUST AND MOVE ON.