We live in a disposable world. I shave with a disposable razor, we use disposable batteries in our electronics, when our printer runs out of ink, we dispose of the cartridge and replace it with a new one. Out with the old, in with the new.

One of the first disposable items I remember from my childhood was the disposable flash bulbs in our family camera. It was in the shape of a cube and attached to the top of the camera. When you used the flash, the cube rotated a readied a fresh bulb for the next flash. Once you used it four times, you could pop it out, dispose of it, and replace it with a new one.

One of the greatest disposable inventions is the disposable diaper. Thankfully, I began my parenting responsibilities in the disposable age. I can’t imagine rinsing out a soiled diaper and taking it to the wash pile. Now, when Precious makes a boo-boo, you pop off the soiled diaper, dispose of it, and replace it with a new one. Viola! Powder fresh!

Unfortunately, the disposable mentality has bled over into areas of our lives where permanence should prevail. If our car no longer pleases us, all we have to do is dispose of it (via trade-in), and replace it with a new one. Never mind the increasing monthly payments. If we get tired of a relationship or it no longer serves our purpose? Too easily we can dispose of it, and replace it with a new one. Never mind the messy emotional destruction left behind. If our religion or church no longer makes us happy, all we have to do is dispose of it, and replace it with a new one.

Let me encourage you not to give up when that seems to be easiest thing to do. When you’re test or tried, hang in there. Stay faithful and let God finish the work He started in you. How many times have we given up on something when God was on the verge of showing us His breakthrough? Hang in there, whatever you are tempted to give up, don’t dispose of it, and replace it with a new one. Let God finish.

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. – Galatians 6:9

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. – Philippians 1:6