I quit! I’m tired! I quit!
This is the sentiment I have heard expressed a lot lately from Christians who’ve grown weary in their church service and fellowship. I understand that sentiment all to well because one day almost three years ago, that was my sentiment. The scripture below depicts the primitive church in its earliest stages and sadly enough in its time of greatest innocence:
42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper[a]), and to prayer.
43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity[b]— 47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved. (Acts 2:42-47)
It is very apparent that the early church joined together frequently, shared the Lord’s supper often, were fervent and continual in prayer and praise. And the result was that God added people daily to the fold. Perhaps you are saying, “people join my church every Sunday”. The real question is are the number of servants growing so that the load of service carried out in church is spread adequately over the population of the church.
There are so many reasons why those of us who have been in church all our lives “quit” and tell ourselves “let them do it”. One of the greatest is burnout. Another is hurt feelings. I know this all too well-for this was me. A few years ago, I decided to “quit” my ministry of singing in the choir and I was confident “God would give me a break.” One day in my prayer time, God dealt me in a way I did not expect concerning my decision. He showed me I was weak! He showed me a picture of myself. I was walking with a radio in my hand and the batteries in my pocket and I was confused as to why the radio would not come on.
The point-God was trying to show me that He has left me with everything I need to be successful and victorious over the enemy of distraction and discouragement in the church. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can cast down and destroy “every lofty (high, tall) thing that rises itself above the knowledge of Him. This implies that we MUST grow in the knowledge of Him. If the teaching is going on in the sanctuary, how do we stay away and grow at the same time? If everyone who is a child of God grows weary, gives up the fight and allows the enemy to win, who will be left to run the church, to serve in ministry? What does a large church, operating with a large population of people who don’t have a mind like Christ and heart of love look like? Can you really be comfortable “quitting” your calling and “sitting” on the gifts God has given you? Perhaps there are other areas of your life where you don’t have peace and God may be allowing that because He wants you totally surrendered to Him. If we can endure hardships on the job, why can we not endure them in the church? I ask you today, where is your heart? where is your faith?
For some reason, we come to church and we want everything to be comfortable, to fit, to just work. We feel entitled to “quit” when we are faced with opposition. We fail to see that the purpose for the opposition is because we are right where God wants us to be-to serve and make a difference in the lives of others. If your service is a threat to Satan, of course He is going to use anybody or anything to get to you to discourage you. I’m praying today that if this is you, you will get back in the game and tell Satan and all of His supporters that TODAY, I “quit” being defeated in ministry.