Brendan writes and asks this,

Hello, Pastor John, I'm currently an 11th grade junior in high school and on the varsity

football team.

I've been in a dilemma lately that I could use some guidance on.

I've always been disciplined by my parents about not quitting anything when you make a commitment

whether it be sports, a job, etc.

I never have quit anything before, but football has consumed so much of my time that I haven't

had time to spend with God or work on school and my grades in relationship with God are

in danger of slipping.

I'm not a quitter, but I also have priorities and plans on being a pastor when I grow

up so the Lord and academics are immensely important now.

So when is it time to quit football?

Let's think for a minute about the morality of quitting something that you've begun.

I think it's very important, especially in this situation, to realize that sometimes

quitting may signify a weakness of character or a weakness of faith in God's provision,

and other times quitting may in fact signify a strength of character and a strength of

faith in God.

And of course, Brennan's parents and Brennan himself are rightly concerned that he never

quit anything because of weakness of character or lack of faith in God's positions, especially

if there has been some kind of promise or commitment since, of course, promise breaking

is clearly a sin, it's a character flaw, it dishonors the God of truth, but let's

think for a minute about these two kinds of quitting because this may help Brennan sort

...