“So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time, we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit” Galatians 6:9(MSG)
Quiet quitting is a trendy topic in the workplace and on social media, born on the heels of a worldwide pandemic and evolving workplace desires. The basic premise is to do only what your job demands and nothing more. There are valid opinions of the trend on both sides of the fence, and this tidbit is not to debate those, but to bring awareness of its existence. Workplace expert, Patti Ehsaei recently told BBC news, “quiet quitting is doing the bare minimum required at work and being content with mediocrity.” Many experts are concerned that this phenomenon is bleeding over into other areas of life. Even in the Christian community, there is a concern.
I attended a Christian Rally in Raleigh, N.C last Thursday, and Dr. David Jeremiah’s teaching was the exact opposite of “quiet quitting.” Dr. Jeramiah expressed concern for the number of Christians he encounters that are overwhelmed and exhausted because of the pandemic, inflation, war, moral depravity, and lack of truthfulness. But his admonition is that it “is too soon to quit.” Followers of Christ are to be determined, endure and build stamina and by doing so we will be the world’s light, demonstrating what it means to repent, love, and be trustworthy. A beautiful visual was created to illustrate our mission here on earth. Every attendee was given a wristband as they entered the arena. The tech team controlled the wristband, and many times during the evening, the lights went down, and the wristbands lit up. Seeing over 10,000 beams of light in a vast, enclosed, dark environment was breathtaking. And a very tangible example of Luke 8:16, where Jesus said, “No one lights a lamp and puts it under a bowl or under a bed. A lamp is always put on a lampstand, so people who come into a house will see the light.”
Paul wrote, “for suffering produces perseverance, character, and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame” (Romans 5:3-5). Hope doesn’t just happen during challenging times and it’s not passive. It is the end product of determination, endurance, and stamina. God’s promise to the faithful is found in James 1:12, “God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.” Hope is the light we have to share with this dark world during dismal times. But as determined as we are to endure and be hopeful, we can find ourselves growing discouraged by the difficulties and disappointments. During those times, our stamina is built by always remembering we are victors and conquerors through our Savior, Jesus Christ, and by “being firm (steadfast), immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord (always being superior, excelling, doing more than enough in the service of the Lord), knowing and being continually aware that your labor in the Lord is not futile (it is never wasted or to no purpose)”1Corinthians 15:57-58. Paul certainly wasn’t preaching the “quiet quitting” philosophy! Whether loudly or quietly, let’s not quit. And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.
The picture is the wristband given to over 10,000 worshippers, encouraging us not to quit and be a light to this world.