Despite firmly believing we should never give up on the things that matter, I too often give up on myself. I give in to negative self-talk. Or I foolishly compare myself to others, which – let’s be honest – is actually comparing our biggest weaknesses to the greatest strengths of others. As a result, I am often labeling myself as insecure, cowardly, and not good enough. I wallow in that pit wondering how I ever experienced the success that I have.
Even though I am mindful and aware that God sees me completely otherwise, it’s hard to get past that feeling. Still, in me, he sees a masterpiece. In me he sees a child he will never give up on. So why am I always so quick to give up on myself?
I wish I had the answers. Sadly, I do not. But, when I get that way, I go to god and I literally tell him what’s on my mind. Together we work it out and he lifts me out of those down seasons.
Edwards was frequently at work on himself. This resolution is strong evidence of that fact. And, as history shows, Edwards had many shortcomings of his own. Though he is among the most revered people of all time, he was human lie the rest of us.
It is a good reminder that, no matter our shortcomings, we can never give up on myself.
Jonathan Edwards Resolution 56
Edwards’ Resolution #56 (as it was written)
Resolved, never to give over, nor in the least to slacken my fight with my corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be.
Edwards’ Resolution #56 (in my modernized language)
Never give up seeking to overcome the sins and weaknesses that exist within me.
We say “Never Give Up”. But, do we believe it? With some help from the cheesy movie, No Retreat No Surrender, we can gain understanding of the Holy Spirit as described in John 16:12-15.
No Retreat, No Surrender
No Retreat No Surrender is a wonderfully cheesy 80’s movie with every cliche of the era. It has karate, break dancing, organized crime, boom boxes, training montages, an apathetic and overweight bully, and a Russian bad guy (played by Jean Claude Van Damme). Take the plots of Rocky 4, The Karate Kid, and Breakin’ and you get “No Retreat, No Surrender.”
In this story, Jason is a student at his dad’s karate dojo, wanting to be a fighter just like the famed martial artist, Bruce Lee. When some bad guys from a crime syndicate show up wanting to take over his dad’s dojo, they rough up Jason’s dad, breaking his leg. So dad retreats. He cowardly closes his dojo and moves the family from Los Angeles to Seattle.
Once settled, Jason is beaten up, humiliated, and has a falling out with dad. His friend, RJ, had shown him where Bruce Lee’s grave was located, so Jason returns to the grave begging Lee’s spirit for help. Miraculously, the spirit of Bruce Lee appears to Jason, saying he was there because Jason had asked him to come. Lee’s spirit leads jason’s training into a superior martial artist. Jason later defends dad from some bar room bullies before defeating Ivan the Russion, the same man who had broken dad’s leg in the LA spat. This presumably ends the crime syndicate’s reign of terror on dojos all across the land.
Perseverance When Hope Seems Lost
Why in the heck did I just share that movie plot? Well, for starters, I just watched it again for the first time in about 25 years. It’s quality and production value is so horrendous, it’s enjoyable. But I shared it because, like us, Jason didn’t give up on himself. And like us, there is a much bigger spirit willing to train us into our divine designs..
How often do we find ourselves desperately seeking answers when all hope is lost?
It happens while battling sins and addiction, often leading to remorse and/or relapse. Every time we attempt to get up, something crushes us, either knocking us back down or keeping us down. We submit to the pressure and the pain, accepting this low point as a new standard.
We fail and we fall. But take heart. Never stay down. Never give up. Why? Because we have the ultimate tag team partner and spiritual sensei when we allow ourselves to receive the Holy Spirit and are discipled by Him.
“I still have many things to tell you, but you can’t handle them now. But when the Friend comes, the Spirit of the Truth, he will take you by the hand and guide you into all the truth there is. He won’t draw attention to himself, but will make sense out of what is about to happen and, indeed, out of all that I have done and said. He will honor me; he will take from me and deliver it to you. Everything the Father has is also mine. That is why I’ve said, ‘He takes from me and delivers to you.’ – John 16:12-15 MSG
Our Redemption Story and God’s Redemption Story
Getting back up is a story of grit, determination, and will. It’s also a story of surrender to the Holy Spirit. A lesson in humility and discipleship. A message of eternal hope and rescue. It’s God’s a story of redemption. And we are blessed to be a tiny part of the greater kingdom glory.
Jesus paid for our shortcomings and makes us whole.
In the movie story, Jason goes to Bruce Lee. He finds Lee’s spirit for rising above. Through that training, he redeems his family and puts an end to the sinister vibe woven all throughout the plot. Jason is a stronger and better representative of his master.
Through God’s design our master has sent a Holy Spirit for training us. Teaching us, equipping us, and strengthening us. In him, our hope is found, and we are redeemed.
So, when life has you ready to give in. Ready to accept mediocrity and ruin, you may feel like you are at rock bottom. Remember the Rock to which you may always cling! Allow the living hope – the spirit of Jesus – to guide you and have reason to never give up on yourself.