How About Another Go?
No results. That’s the worst! I mean, honestly… it’s not fun to put work into something and see nothing come out of it. When was the last time you heard of someone working out simply for the fun of it?! You don’t. I mean working out can be fun, but it's the fact that your body gets a lot of health benefits and mostly the fact that your body loses fat and develops toned muscle that pushes us to work out. The fact of the matter is that if there wasn't a possibility of obtaining a “beach body” many people wouldn't work out. Some might because of the health benefits, but most people do it for the physical results. It’s what we get out of it that pushes us to keep going. Losing 10 pounds, Sculpting the abs, building up those arms, toning up thighs… it’s the results that push us.
There is absolutely NOTHING that is enjoyable about giving something your all and it doesn't go through. In my prayer life and Scripture readings, God has been dealing with me a lot in terms of failures… you’ll notice that this week’s blog post has a similar undertone as last week’s “That Did NOT Go as Planned.” I feel like there a re people out there who just need some encouragement to keep going…. but there are others who have already given up on something.
Everybody has a dream of some sort. We all grew up saying “I want to do ____.” you fill in the blank. Some things we grow into as we mature and go through life, regardless of when your dream was birthed, the fact remains that we all have one! Some people want to teach. Some want to sing. Some want to dance, or write, work in finance, become a CEO, or to become a successful Politician… we all want SOMETHING. But somewhere along the line, we get weary… and sometimes we give up.
It’s not a good feeling to reach a point in life where you feel like your dream is beyond your reach. I’ve been there. The thing that always gets me back on track is my undying faith in the power that comes through having Jesus Christ as a savior. I believe that God can do anything. Even things that don't make sense! He has raised the dead beyond the traditional allotted time to do so. He has healed illnesses that are deemed incurable and sure to take lives. He has walked on water (I mean, who thinks to do that?! lol)... and perhaps the greatest miracle of all was Him dying on the cross so that my sins can be forgiven. God can do ANYTHING!
I was reading the book of Luke and in Chapter 13 Jesus is giving a bunch of parables. In verse 6, He tells the story of a barren fig tree. Long story short: There’s this guy who had a fig tree planted in his garden that just didn't grow fruit. Every year he tried, but it never grew anything. The Bible says in the NLT that “he was always disappointed.” Finally, the guy tells his gardener to cut the tree down because it was just taking up space… but the gardener didn't want to give up on the tree. He begs the man to give it another chance. “Leave it another year.” the gardener says. ‘I’ll give it special attention… If we get figs next year, fine. If not, then cut it down.”
This chapter of Luke doesn't really provide an ending for that parable. But it really got me excited. If you remember from last week, I discussed how the same situations can be viewed differently. Some of us maybe be like the owner of the garden: we are just tired of trying. We are over putting all of this work into something and just getting nothing out of it. You may be ready to quit. You may be ready to just stop. Move on to something else, and find another “thing.” But I believe that God brought me to this scripture and laid it on my heart to post because there is potential in you. I want to encourage you to give it another go!
We serve a God who is capable of second chances. We serve a God who is able to restore and revive the most dead of situations. What ever dream you gave up on, whatever project/ministry you quit, the marriage, your child, etc: Give it another go. Look at it with the eyes of Christ. Review it. Pray about it and consider giving it another shot. The gardener didn't know if the tree would grow any fruit… he just didn't want to give up on it just yet. He had faith that it was still possible. I’m not here to prophecy that whatever it is that was dying will suddenly become successful, but I am saying consider prayer one more time before you quit out of frustration and bad emotions. Make sound decisions… make Christ-based decisions.
Some of the most successful people in history hit their “Big Break” right when they were ready to break. I’ve heard many times how people were ready to give up but mustered up the courage and strength to give it one last go, and “boom” they blew up as a result. So here’s the point of all of this: Seek God in prayer regarding what ever it is, ultimately He will lead you. He may confirm that you should let it go…. BUT! Maybe there’s still some fruit left. Maybe you’re supposed to try again…
I’m just trying to encourage you to look past your frustration. Look past your emotions. See the potential of the thing and trust God, he may be leading you to give it another Go!