Hold or fold?

When I was in my youth I boxed. One time I was in a boxing match and clearly had my opponent outmatched. Ordinarily I had little or no sympathy for an opponent, but this guy was really receiving a beating and I did not want to continue hurting him, but the fight continued and my objective was to take him out. Try as I might I could not knock him out and the referee would not give me a TKO. This kid was bleeding profusely, (back then we did not wear the protective headgear that amateur boxers use today), yet his coach would not “throw in the towel”. Finally the referee stopped the fight, but not before he had sustained some pretty serious cuts on his eyes, lip, and his nose was obviously broken. One of his eyes was swollen nearly shut. Much of that beating could have been avoided if his coach would have simply had the good sense to “throw in the towel” earlier, when it became obvious that short of a miracle he did not have a chance in the fight.

I have similarly struggled with decisions in my life. It is difficult to know the will of God for our lives when an opportunity presents itself, because He does not converse with us and verbally give us instructions. I constantly struggle with knowing God’s will for my life. I sincerely want to follow His will and when an opportunity presents itself, I would like to know whether or not it is within His will for my life to take advantage of it, or to pass it up. I generally pray about it and if it seems like the right thing to do after prayer and meditation then I dive in.

Recently I did just such a thing. An opportunity presented itself, I prayed about it and decided to do it. As I got into the project, it was as though I had uncovered a yellow jacket nest. One serious problem after another, after another, transpired. I am not a quitter and like my boxing opponent many years ago, stubbornly kept taking punch after punch, not wanting to quit. Finally after serious problems, after more serious problems, for which I could find no solution even after giving it all I had developed, I reluctantly saw the light and threw in the towel. When I did a great sense of relief came over me which I took as an affirmation that finally I was taking the course that God wanted me to take. My nose is a little bloody, but I am convinced I am on the right track now.

If we are not living within God’s will for our life, or following a path He wants us to take, we will find no peace in this life. One way to know this is when a situation develops that is as I described where serious problems after serious problems develop for which it is impossible to find solutions. However with that said, I would caution you that I have found that whenever we try to do something for the kingdom of God, satan will throw stumbling blocks in our way and do his utmost to prevent it from happening. Every worthwhile project I attempt has roadblocks and problems that must be resolved and we must not “throw in the towel” too early just because we encounter some difficulties. Always ask yourself if the problems come from below or above. It is the problems for which no solution can be found even after prayer and trying our utmost that indicate to me that God is not with me on a project or opportunity. Of course without God, failure is guaranteed and when I reach that point I quickly will bow out.

I guess it is all in “knowing when to hold them and when to fold them”. In the end it is an intangible feeling of peace or lack of it and uneasiness that allows me to discern God’s will. It is a fine line that is intangible, but just like the ocean’s tide, I can feel the pull even if I cannot see it.

Colossians 4:15
And let the peace of God rule
in your hearts