Yesterday was Good Friday, and as I listened to the worship service online, I felt this heaviness on my shoulders. I was thinking about what Jesus went through, how He suffered, how He surrendered, and how He finished His assignment. And then I thought about my own journey – the times I’ve wanted to quit, the moments I’ve asked myself, “Why am I even doing this?”

But then I remembered: Jesus didn’t quit. He surrendered. And because He finished, I can finish too. I’m not doing this alone, and if you have agreed with God, neither are you.

Have You Ever Wanted Something So Badly… and Then Didn’t?

During my PhD (in biochemistry) journey, when the workload was heavy, I still showed up to small group Bible discussions. Engaging in deep conversations with intellectuals and Bible scholars made me come alive. I was present, fully immersed, and completely engaged. I forgot my problems. 

That joy, that fire… it revealed something to me. Perhaps I was doing the wrong PhD. I should have been in theology or psychology. But, I also loved biochemistry. We can love many things. Do what you love! God can use anything, even that staff in your hand! 

I thought about it, I had already come this far. I prayed, and what I heard in my spirit was clear: Finish it.

My growth group encouraged me to finish it too. And so I did.

What Happens Right Before the Breakthrough?

There’s a pattern I’ve noticed. Maybe you’ve seen it in your life too. Whenever we’re close to the fulfillment of a dream, right on the edge of a breakthrough, the temptation to quit hits the hardest. Suddenly, a new idea shows up. A new dream, a new direction. And the thing we’re working on starts to feel too long, too hard, too heavy.

Don’t take the bait. Finish it.

Sure some people quit and they seemed to turn out fine. Probably that was not their assignment. Furthermore, we should not compare ourselves with others and keep our focus on God.

What Does It Mean to Surrender?

Finishing something hard requires us to surrendering to the process. And that’s exactly what Jesus did. His assignment was the cross. And even though He was fully God, He struggled in His humanity. We see this clearly in the garden of Gethsemane:

“Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.”  Luke 22:42

Jesus was betrayed, arrested, denied, beaten, and crucified. And still, He finished His assignment.

“Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.”  Luke 23:46

That’s what full surrender looks like.

What if Letting Go Is the Real Growth?

In a world that trains us to control everything, surrender is growth. Jesus said:

“Whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for Me will find it.” Matthew 16:25

We fight so hard to hold on, to be in control, to make things happen. But Jesus shows us that the real breakthrough comes when we let go.

What Happens After the Suffering?

We remember Good Friday. The betrayal, the pain, and the sacrifice. But we also remember that Sunday is coming. Resurrection, life, and victory. Jesus endured because He knew joy was coming. Glory was ahead. He finished because He trusted the process to get to the promise.

Are we trusting the process to get to the promise?

We need the same mindset when walking out our dreams. We might be in the middle of the hard part right now, but we can choose to trust and surrender.

Not because it’s easy.

But because Jesus did it first and we are called to follow Him.

Thank You, Jesus

Thank You for surrendering. Thank You for showing us how to finish. Thank You for reminding us that we are never alone. Thank You for the gift of a full and satisfying life on the other side of surrender.

This too shall pass.

It is finished.

And Sunday is coming. 🙏

With love and growth,

Sanchia and team.

Are we living or want to live a full and satisfying life?

What is it that we need to surrender?

About the reviewer

Jacqueline Bacchus is a dedicated mother of four adult sons and proud grandmother to six grandchildren. Born in Kingston, Jamaica, and raised in the parish of St. Catherine. She pursued Early Childhood Education at University of the West Indies School of Continuing Studies and later received certification from NCTVET in Early Childhood Care and Development.

A believer for 18 years, Jacqueline is the principal of an Early Childhood Centre in Jamaica and has worked in education for over three decades. Her passion lies in helping others strive toward their goals, and her work has been deeply shaped by the people and children she has encountered—teaching her humility and openness to growth.

Outside of her professional life, Jacqueline enjoys spending time with loved ones, listening to music, singing, going on nature walks, and watching movies.

Her life’s mission is to see her church, Reaching All God’s Children Ministries, fulfill its calling—to be a voice of hope, a hand of refuge, a heart of praise, and feet determined to reach every child of God. She lives by the personal philosophy: “Little is much when God is in it.” For her, every effort sown in love will never be in vain.