Knowing what to give up
Have you ever been told to “never give up”? It’s something we’ve all probably heard from parents or, if you’re a parent yourself, something you’ve said to your children. It’s a well-meaning motivational phrase meant to encourage perseverance when someone is struggling or thinking about quitting. But what if, in some areas of life, especially in our walk with God, a different message might be more helpful? What if, in certain situations, the best advice for drawing closer to God is to “just give up”?
It may sound counterintuitive, but there are many places in the Bible that suggest giving up certain things can actually bring us closer to God. Take the example of the fishermen in Matthew 4:18-22. Jesus calls them to follow Him and become “fishers of men,” and they respond by giving up everything-their homes, their liveli- hoods, their familiar lives-to follow Him. In Mark 1:1-8, John the Baptist demonstrates a similar kind of surrender. He leaves behind the comforts of society to live in the wilderness and preach about the coming Savior. Both men “gave up” the familiar to draw nearer to God’s purpose for them.
Paul, in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, tells the Corinthians to give up things like lust, idolatry, jealousy, and addiction. He emphasizes that certain behaviors must be abandoned in order to live the life God calls us to.
So, while we are often told to “never give up,” sometimes the key to growing closer to Jesus is knowing what to give up. By letting go of the distractions, sin, and attachments that hold us back, we make space for a deeper relationship with Him. And once we do that, we can focus on our relationship with God and never give up on that.