Never Give Up

It was New Year’s Eve, and I woke early to make some homemade bread to take communion that night. As I began to gather my ingredients, my mind went back to several years ago when I first began to try to make bread.

One night God gave me a dream. In my dream I could smell fresh-baked bread. I was taking it to soup kitchens in a nearby city. Each time I would deliver one loaf of bread, I would get dozens back in return.

For the next few days, I dreamed about bread. I began to feel that God was teaching me something. I felt like I was supposed to learn to make bread to begin the process. “This will be easy and fun” I thought.

I was so wrong.

I found a couple recipes and began my journey of breadmaking. No matter what I did, it would not come out right. I even emailed the people who provided the recipes to no avail. I can’t tell you how many batches of dough I threw away. Honestly, it would be nearly a hundred. Months went by and I kept trying. Finally, I called my friend, Deborah, who can cook, and bake anything.

She came to my house to teach me to make bread. After several failed attempts, she said, “Chica, I just don’t think this is for you.”

I kept trying. It took me about a year, truly, but I finally made a loaf of bread. Next, I had to find the recipe I liked for a loaf of homemade sandwich bread that was light and fluffy. I found my perfect recipe and have made bread ever since.

Now, I make sandwich bread, along with many other kinds of bread and rolls. I even learned to make the best cinnamon rolls you have ever eaten.

So, this morning as I was making bread for communion – I was reminded to never give up. Don’t quit. If God is leading you in a direction, keep going. Even if your friends think you should quit – keep going. If your family thinks you are nuts – keep moving forward. Never give up.

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. (Gal 6:9)

The Amplified Bible says it like this; And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint.

We reap if you don’t give up. That applies to all areas of our life. I know my bread story is a silly example – and not life changing – however, it taught me a lesson. Don’t give up. Keep trying. No matter how many times you fail or feel unsuccessful or discouraged, keep trying.

My friend, the enemy would have you give up. He works hard to get us to quit. To stop believing. Stop pressing into God. Stop reading the word of God. Stop praying. Stop praising and worshipping. He does that because he knows if we refuse to quit, we will reap, just like the Bible says.

Remember Peter. Jesus told him to cast his net after he had been toiling all night long? He tried to explain to Jesus they had tried and tried. But, he went on to say, NEVERTHELESS, at thy word, we will do it. What happened? He caught the haul of his life – more than he could even pull in alone.

Whatever it is in your life that you feel like quitting – don’t give up. Cast your faith, one more time and bring in your reward. God is no respecter of persons – what He did for Peter, He will do for you- just give it one more try.