ChristianDevs Forum

Found a great post today on a Christianity productivity blog about the temptation to give up on our big projects when doing important work: blogged about it here.

I know I for one definitely find it a real temptation to throw in the towel on Ebenezer on a regular basis, not necessarily because anything has changed but just because it seems like it's going to take a lot of hard work to finish it. This post really encouraged me to press on in faith.

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Thanks for that Andy.

God Bless!

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It seems like that information would apply as well to projects that don't matter.

b-o, I was thinking something along the same lines. However, such projects should always be weighed with discernment. If we have discerned that a project is something we ought to finish, then to back down from it, for whatever the reason, is probably unjustified.
I would like to think that this article is for after you have already made that discernment. As we all know, there will always be those who hear "follow your dream" and blindly use it to justify anything and everything they do, regardless of much needed discernment first. e.g. A tone deaf singer insisting they can sing because its their life's "purpose".

For the projects that "don't matter", if its apparent that God's promises aren't with us to finish it, we would be best to get a clue and stop it immediately. (Just to clarify, I'm in NO way hinting at anyone here being in that category )

Something which tempts me to quit is doubting my own skills being "good enough" to accomplish what I have set out to do, or that I'll somehow finish "too late" even when there is no set deadline. I am highly suspicious that such a doubt is a lack of trust in God to accomplish his purpose regardless of our qualities. In those moments, I find myself easily unmotivated, distracted and further swayed by quick 'rewards' which do nothing to contribute.

Anyhow! Thanks for sharing, Andy. I hope I didn't get too wordy

Btw, I won't let you quit!
I am really suspicious that their is something special to Ebenezer of great worth.

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Perhaps I'm misunderstanding, but it seems like you present a false dichotomy where you either 'ought' to do something or 'ought not' to do something. I think there is a third option, where there are things you 'can' do, but are not morally obliged to do so and yet which are not sin. If a deaf person wants to sing, I don't think its sin, so I don't see why they 'ought' to quit if its something they enjoy. There have been successful deaf musicians in the past.

Also.. Why would you need some sort of promise from God to pursue something sinless? If I don't have a promise from God telling me that I should paint my house green, or use conditioner on my hair, why should I stop immediately? These are the kinds of things I meant when I mentioned things that do not matter.

I can certainly see where you are coming from. My personal take on it is that I do agree there is that third option: "where there are things you 'can' do, but are not morally obliged to..." However, I think that there can come a point where, using the 'discernment' that Nehemius mentioned could indicate to you that there is in fact a project of the '1' variety that can (and should) be undertaken instead. In such a case, I think the point of "if its apparent that God's promises aren't with us to finish it, we would be best to get a clue and stop it immediately" (and start working on the 'important' project) would actually apply.