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“Allow Christ to rescue you,
as he did Paul, from the war within.
Resolve not to resolve, but instead, resign.
Let Christ have control of the struggle within.”
– Devotional Classics, 60.
My Resignation
Most
of us who have been in the workplace for any period of time have considered
resignation. The factors that lead to that decision vary greatly;
intolerable work conditions, overbearing supervisors, poor pay,
unrealistic demands, deteriorating health, or other issues.
We
may show teeth-clenching determination and considerable resilience for
a long time. We are well-practiced in persistence. But when the
circumstances reach a certain threshold we pull the trigger. The
dam bursts.
Some
folk describe success as 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration. But when
that 1% evaporates, our enthusiasm withers quickly. We resign.
I'm
at the same place and perhaps you are, too -- not with my workplace but
with my spiritual life. It's not that I want to resign from my faith
but I must resign to grow in
my faith.
Surely
the harder we try, the better we’ll be. But not so. In fact, in a
strange twist, we find that the core of spiritual deliverance lies
not in seizing the day but releasing it; not in driving harder but
taking our foot off the pedal. Authentic transformation—no longer
slaves to sin—is not what we do but what the Spirit does within us.
(Romans 12:1-2) We may reform our behavior but meaningful change
of character emerges from our death to self not our grip on self.
The
term “resign” may sound too drastic to some ears and too passive to others.
It smacks of either impulsiveness or apathy. But the godliest men and
women throughout Christian history all testify that life comes out of
death not exertion; that the pathway to freedom comes from following
not leading.
Our
“take charge” attitude—can do, will do, just do it—feeds our sinful
nature. Salvation is not marked by renewed resolve on our part but by
complete resignation; surrender. The control that we cling to hinders
the work of Christ within us.
We
don’t rise above the battle with sin by focusing on it. We don’t rise
above temptation by sheer will-power. Freedom comes as we look beyond
ourselves, to Him. The struggles that torment and disappoint us do not
reflect our weakness of resolve but our distraction from Him.
Clenched
fists avail far less than surrendered spirits—always. Perhaps more of
us should hand in our "resignation letters" and look to a new
Boss.
In
HOPE –
David
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