You hear it, an almost incessant buzz in your mind causing no little irritation right behind your eyes. The refrain is almost always the same . . . "It doesn't matter what you do, you will probably blow it." Like gnats ruining a beautiful summer picnic, the constant nag of failure buzzes around your mind and your heart as you try to put the "good face" on and persevere.
I've heard that buzz before. It seems to be the haunt of
the human species. It hovers in the background (especially when life appears to
be going off the rails). The song is not one we like, but it seems like a
constant soundtrack.
If you are hearing the siren song of failure lately, let me
offer this attempt at encouragement. Your attempts to do the right thing are
not failures. Things may not have worked out as you hoped, that is true! Things
may even seem to "blow up" as you try to do what is right. Been
there, done that. Nonetheless, the fact that you looked for and attempted the
right thing speaks of success and not failure.
Obedience is success. I've discovered that there is an
obedience to faith. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that obedience is the
evidence of faithful loyalty to God and to his Messiah. If you have attempted
to obey God, if you have aimed yourself in the direction of following Jesus
faithfully, then you have not failed.
Yes, there may still be darkness and the stagnant
soundtrack of "failure" may still play in your head. I understand,
but I have also learned that the song of failure rarely plays when I do
nothing. Remember, there is no shadow without the light. When you faithfully
follow the Light, there will no doubt be some times when the shadows show up.
In 2 Corinthians 1, Paul admitted to some dark moments in
his ministry. He even notes that he was overwhelmed "beyond our strength
— so that we even despaired of life itself." (2 Cor. 1:8). Elijah (in 1
Kings 19) despaired of his ministry and in fear of his life hid in a cave. The
Bible shows us many examples of people who did the right thing and shortly
after encountered shadows.
Why? It is reminder that the world we live in now has
darkness, but the better news is that a dawn is breaking and light is shining.
The same God who delivered us from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of
light will be faithful to complete the work he began in us.
I wish I could take the shadow away, I wish I could sing a
song that would replace that woeful failure soundtrack once for all. I am not
that talented, but I know that one day these things will pass. One day we will
see the Light of God shine with no shadow. One day we will be in his presence
and the song of Moses will replace the soundtrack of failure. Soon . . .
hopefully very soon . . . Satan will be crushed beneath our feet.
Until then, know that I am praying with and for you. I
understand what it means to feel fragile, to be in the valley of
"failure." Nonetheless, I want us to turn our faces to Jesus, the one
who enlightens every person, and I want us to walk faithfully towards that
Light. Come on, you can even lean on me if you need (and we'll no doubt find
ourselves leaning on him--the Solid Rock). I see you, and I am confident that
God will honor your obedience. Further up and further in. Head towards the Light,
weary pilgrim . . . we are almost home.
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