No Matter What, Don’t Give Up

No Matter What, Don’t Give Up

I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. Philippians 3:12

Winston Churchill is someone in history whom I admire. I love how he handled some of his toughest moments as England’s prime minister. Not only was he a great statesman, but he was also an outstanding orator.

On October 29, 1941, Churchill visited his alma mater, Harrow School, to hear the traditional songs he had sung there as a youth, as well as to speak to the students.

Reflecting on the previous ten months of “terrible catastrophic events in the world,” Churchill stood before the students and shared the lesson he had been learning.

“Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never—in nothing, great or small, large or petty—never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense.”

Although Churchill wasn’t at the end of his speech when he spoke those emphatic words, that line is what is most remembered. In fact, the speech is called “Never Give In.” The essence of his remarks, coupled with his steadfast leadership during World War II, helped England to survive the conflict.

The apostle Paul expressed a “never give in” attitude when he wrote today’s verses to the Philippian believers. Using the common metaphor of a race he was competing in, Paul encourages believers to pursue Christ with unwavering determination. His words apply to us as well. We are running a marathon relationship with Christ.

When things become difficult in our lives, we may want to throw our hands in the air and give up. No deal. There will be times when we’ll want to simply stop and let someone else do what we know God has asked us to do. No deal. We are called to “press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us” (verse 14).

The two of them—Paul and Churchill—set the course for things much larger than themselves simply by refusing to give up, and in doing so, they directed the paths of those around them by passion and example.

Never give in. Never give up. Don’t quit.

Uncommon Key > It’s very simple—never give in or give up. Encourage someone with those words today. Keep running the race with Christ, keeping your eyes on the prize—the hope of heaven.