When We Fail . . .

Sometimes big changes come on the heels of a single choice.  In the SuperBowl last night, with just seconds to go, it appeared almost certain that the Seahawks would be the champions. They were just a yard from the goal line. Their amazing running back, Marshawn Lynch, consistently ran through the Patriots defense.  A short run would have given them the winning touchdown.  Unbelievably, somebody called for a pass instead of a run. That pass that was intercepted by the Patriots and there went the championship!  The decision to pass the ball instead of running it will be debated and second-guessed for days. Talk about snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.

I have made a few of those kind of mistakes, big and life-altering, in my life.  How about you? Paul has wisdom we all need for times like that. “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,  I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”  (Philippians 3:13)  His counsel is not that we forget the lessons of failure, but that we leave the regret behind and focus on present.  The past can, and often does, paralyze us.  Some become bitter, unable to forgive themselves or others.  Some become fearful, afraid of making the same mistake again. Others hide in shame, as if a singular choice is the total definition of who they are.  Leave it behind, the Word says, and look forward.

Jesus’ story about son who made a spectacular mistake (and that word is not nearly strong enough). He rejected his father’s love, took his inheritance and went off to party heartily. Broke, hungry, and full of shame he hatched a plan to go back home, but not to be a son.  “I’ll just ask Dad if I can work on the farm,” he thought, “because then at least I’ll be safe and fed.”  Off he went and when he approached home, he was shocked to find his dad waiting for his return.  The old man did not heap shame on the awful son.  I cannot read the next phrase without becoming full of emotion: “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” (Luke 15:20)  It’s Jesus’ everyman story…. For me, for you. God is not waiting to play a gotcha game with us. He’s longing for us to turn around and come home to His embrace – again and again, because His love is deeper than the ocean.

“God rewards failure,” You ask? No, but He responds with mercy and grace to humble confession and heart-felt repentance.  Paul, once known as Saul, persecuted Christians and vehemently rejected Christ Jesus. His past was ugly, his actions worse than regrettable.  Yet, he writes to us reminding us of God’s amazing grace and transformation that is possible to those who believe and receive:  "The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life." (1 Timothy 1:14-16, NIV)

Stuck in the past?
Feeling disqualified and unworthy of God’s blessings?  

The scandalous grace of Christ offers a new start with a new heart.  Here’s the word from the Word. "I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him—endless energy, boundless strength! " …  "We neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing" ((Ephesians 1:15-19, 2:10, The Message)

____________

 A New Name In Glory

I was once a sinner but I came

Pardon to receive from my Lord.

This was freely given and I found

That He always kept His word.

In the Book 'tis written,

“Saved by grace!”

O the joy that came to my soul.

Now I am forgiven and I know

By the blood I am made whole.

There's a new name

Written down in glory,

And it's mine,

O yes, it's mine.

And the white-robed

Angels sing the story,

“A sinner has come home.”

For there's a new name

Written down in glory,

And it's mine,

O yes, it's mine.

With my sins forgiven

I am bound for heaven,

Nevermore to roam!

Charles Austin Miles

© Words: Public Domain