Clergy/Leaders' Mail-list No. 2-172 (Devotional)

DEALING WITH FAILURE - Luke 5:1-11

by Kim Thoday

It is only natural that we want to succeed in life. Isn't it wonderful when we achieve certain goals. As Christians it is especially inspiring when we see our hard labors blessed by God.

Yet so often we also experience failure in the Christian life. Sometimes it may appear to be failure when it is not and sometimes it is just plain failure. We make mistakes. Yet even plain failure is important in the spiritual life. Without failure we would never learn. Without failure God would never be able to really begin His work within us. This doesn't mean we should try to fail! God wants us to succeed -- but succeed His way, not necessarily on our terms.

So when you fail even in a big way, remember that it's an opportunity to do things differently or with even more determination (with God's wisdom, prayer and hindsight) next time.

As a wise person once said: If you have tried to do something and failed, you are vastly better off than if you tried to do nothing and succeeded.

Remember in Luke 5 when Jesus tells Simon to put down his nets again from the boat. And Simon admits that their fishing has been a failure. They have toiled all night and have not caught a thing. Yet Simon is obedient to Jesus' request and hauls in a great catch of fish!

Success or failure in the end is not the key issue to the Christian life. Rather the pivotal issue is obedience to Christ's demands. Obedience is eventually rewarded by God's blessings -- success on God's terms.

Blessings in Jesus' name,

Kim Thoday <>

Hewett Community Church of Christ, South Australia. http://www.hewett.org.au