Giving Up ⬆️
What does this phrase really mean
We don’t say “I’m giving this habit down” or “I’m giving this habit to the side”.
We say “I’m giving this up.”
I had, until recently, assumed this phrase had a negative connotation.
My husband and I were listening to Episode 5 of the Exodus Jordan B Peterson series. Jonathan Pageau was discussing hierarchy and sacrifice - and in doing so repeating this phrase. Dr Peterson remarked that it is a “strange phrase” that we use.
This phrase is particularly directional. Yet we use it sometimes, as Dr Peterson points out, in a defeated or dismissive manner. As if the thing we are referencing doesn’t move in any particular direction but rather “disappears”. “I give up” when said in a defeated tone is often referencing ones will disappearing - not necessarily upwards.
Perhaps we are often misusing the phrase.
Perhaps it is not intended to have a negative connotation. It may be possible that we are missing an opportunity to offer a beneficial and proper sacrifice.
In the Christian faith we strive to truly take to heart “Lord THY will be done”. We strive to sacrifice our will, in an effort NOT to make sinful decisions due to being blinded by our own arrogance, fear, ignorance and pride. It’s an acknowledgement of God’s perfection naturally being superior to our imperfection. This does not have a negative connotation as God’s will is love and our acknowledgment of His will is voluntary.
God’s will is not forced upon us. We are given free will to direct our attention and sacrifices as we see fit. We choose whether or not we want to be in alignment with God’s will.
If God is at the top of our hierarchy of attention and values - we should be willing to give up anything to Him. Behavioral or tangible. Bad habits, addictions, wealth, even our relationships. It’s a request that God does what he sees is in our best interest with the things we are voluntarily offering. If the thing we give is a negative influence for our spiritual growth we offer it up for Him to remove it from our lives. If it is good and beneficial - we offer it up acknowledging God is the ultimate good and acknowledge He well direct us in the proper use of what is given.
Ultimately - we give things up to Him so that we do not fall victim to the consequences of false idol worship.
My challenge to you, the reader, is this: use this phrase intentionally. Make the proper sacrifices in the proper direction.
When you “give up” embrace the opportunity for growth in the fertile soil of humility rather than mourning the ashes of defeat.
Fertile soil often requires the ashes - the death - of something. That something may be the erroneous behaviors and thoughts you are holding on to. And…or…it may be the gifts you are squandering. Give them UP.
.