Never give up…never surrender

EDITORIAL NOTE:  I’m moving some of my old posts from another blog to this one…so even though these may look new, some of the information or references will be dated.  Still, I hope the overriding thoughts behind the posts are timeless.  This one was originally posted on February 18, 2013–

Sitting in a hotel room over the weekend, I had another opportunity to see a movie that has become one of my top-five favorites of all time now, Galaxy Quest. 

I think that, when it was made, everyone wrote it off as a throw-away comedy for Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver and a long list of familiar character actors that spoofed the science fiction genre.  I half expected that myself.  But, since I like that kind of movie, I was anxious to see it. 

But when I finally did see it for the first time, I was captured by more than the light-hearted but candid jabs it poked at Hollywood stereotypes.  I was impressed by the insight into human nature and, ultimately, the quest for the best that should define us that it showed. 

It’s a very funny movie, to be sure, but it is far more thought-provoking than I would’ve ever guessed and I love watching it over and over every chance I get. 

In case you haven’t seen the movie (and you should!), I don’t want to give too much away, but one of the valuable truths that I have gleaned from it over and over again centers around a motto that was initially offered up as a line from a science-fiction TV show: “Never give up. Never surrender.” 

It winds up taking on greater significance as the movie progresses and becomes more than just a cliche to be thrown around at sci-fi conventions. 

I thought about that again as I watched the movie over the weekend.  It’s a great line, but it is easier said than done.  There are so many things that pop into our lives on a daily basis that can cause us to get discouraged, even to the point that we are tempted to say, “What’s the use?” 

Maybe they show up in the form of relationship problems, or a lack of meaningful relationships at all in our lives.  Maybe discouragement comes in the form of difficulties at work, dealing with associates who say one thing and do another or undermine our job security.  Very often, money problems…when our lack of money is the main problem…conspire to cause us to want to give up. 

Whatever the reason, we can find several opportunities on a daily basis to say, “I give up. I surrender.” 

Even as I am writing this, the story has broken that country singer Mindy McCready committed suicide over the weekend.  She was, by all accounts, a troubled soul and she apparently made the ultimate decision to give up. 

Whether it was by her choice or by the neglect of others, it’s a shame she didn’t have someone to speak some never-give-up-never-surrender wisdom into her life. 

And make no mistake about it, there is some biblical wisdom to the axiom, “Never give up. Never surrender.” 

Paul wrote to the Philippian church, “I focus on this one thing: forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” (Philippians 3:13-14) 

Paul the Apostle, a man that today we consider perhaps the most influential follower of Jesus in history, was not a stranger to rejection, to humiliation, to hate crimes, to failure.   

He experienced them all.  But this nugget for the people in the city of Philippi let them in on his secret for enduring all those things.  It’s a good reminder for us. 

When the ‘I surrender’ times come — and they will — we’re reminded that Paul forgot his past — the failures, the defeats and discouragements — and he looked forward to what lies ahead.  He never gave up, never surrendered. 

And that applies to us no matter how insignificant or great the ‘I surrender’ issue is that we’re dealing with.  Whether it’s trying to get the kids to fold the laundry, land that perfect job, getting out from under a mountain of debt or hoping to find someone to love us for a lifetime.

I won’t name names, but I know people who are dealing with those very issues right now, some to the point of giving up.