I quit.

Life was getting too chaotic and too pressured, and the things that were a priority were slipping and sliding like a squealing child on a water slide. I wanted to enjoy the ride, but had a gnawing sense that I was on the wrong one.

There were times I could get a grip, stop myself from getting too carried away. But it was just momentary. And left me with slight burns on the palms of my hands and soles of my feet.

The slide wasn’t bad. Individually, each twist and turn was good. But combined, it was a lethal combination of distraction and lack of focus. My priorities only got my leftovers, never the full breadth of my attention. I hated that. I wanted to enjoy the fullness of the ride, and squeal with delight and not frustration.

So I quit. I listed all the things that I enjoyed but weren’t fitting into the swift direction of the slide I needed to be on. It was hard — the people-pleaser in me protested with accusations of “you’re irresponsible!” and “what will people think?” and “you’re just being lazy!”

I agreed with them most of the time.

But I quit anyway.

God says in Psalm 81:10, “Open your mouth wide and I will fill it.” To me, this means that God commands us to position ourselves to receive first, and then He will provide. Like He’s waiting to give, but I haven’t made room for what He wants to give. I can’t get a new couch if I don’t have a living room for it first. I can’t get joy if I haven’t let go of bitterness. I can’t get the main dish if I don’t have a plate ready.

So I opened my mouth wide and quit. And you know what? God is filling it.

I remember what it was like going down the water slide as a child. Swishing and sliding back and forth while zipping down as fast as I could imagine. Not really knowing when it would end, when it would plunge me into the pool and I’d be fully submerged under water. It was that not knowing that made the slide so exciting. The excited anticipation of each twist and turn, wondering, is this it? Is it now?

Since quitting, joy has returned. And the things God has placed before me as priority are getting my best, not the leftovers. And they’re flourishing. And the slide is fun again. I’m squealing, and with delight. I’m not trying to stop myself along the ride anymore. No more burned palms and feet. The unknown of when I’ll be plunged into the fullness of His plans is exciting. Is this it? Is it now?

What do you need to quit today?