Friday Devotional
Failure.
We seek to avoid. Some people live a constant failure averse life driven by remaining in their “wheelhouse” to steal a baseball phrase. The comfort zone occupied by tasks that maximize strengths populated by others who are impressed by said skills.
Does God want that?
Think of towering biblical figure. Were they always on the mountaintop? Consider Jeremiah. We single Jeremiah out as a giant of the faith but man what a tough existence. A prophet who lead a whopping 2 people to the faith. Everyone else scorned Jeremiah or laughed at him. No one listened to his warnings or prophecies. And yes he was right of course but what a horrible thing to be right about. This does not include captivity, prison, death threats, or murder attempts.
I doubt Jeremiah signed up for all that. Still, he never wavered facing failure an disrespect head on without blinking. My guess is God would have us do the same at times.
I think this devotional brought a great light onto the concept of feeling like a failure. Even in Biblical times people were very quick to point fingers rather than look at their own problems. I find it very interesting that the people in Jeremiah’s town were so quick to attack him for simply trying to spread the gospel. I think it can also be an encouragement to know that someone shouldn’t personally take any hate towards them and just continue on the path that the Lord has set for them.
I really like the message of this post because it has to do greatly with everyone’s lives. Everyone struggles and fails in life. This is normal in life, but this doesn’t mean you give up and quit whatever you are trying to achieve or do. We need to listen to God through whatever we are going through and rely on him to fight our battles with us. If we do that just like prophets long before us we will be able to live a life with less anxiety and worry. Overall we need endurance given to us through God’s love and faithfulness.
Kevin Bamulutira: This was enlightening, to say the least. It is really interesting that each person has their own calling but it up to them to do it or not to do it. The choice gets even harder in times of temptation, as I’m sure Jeremiah must have been through. One thing that should keep everyone hopeful about their crosses to carry is that the Lord Jesus did the same for our sins. It is always a blessing to be obedient and do God’s will even if it isn’t convenient.
I love this so much! I’ll have to read Jeremiah soon. What God has been showing me recently is the mindset I have when I fail. If I look at it as something negative and think I will never get better, it kinda leads to a condemning trail. But if I look at the grace God has for my failure and how his strength is perfect in my weakness, I have no reason to worry. I believe God wants his children to be successful, that just looks different for every person.
What a great reminder. It brings to my mind one of my favorite bible verses, 2 Corinthians 12:9, “And He has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.’ Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.” God is working even in our failures, perfecting his power in our weakness. Jeremiah is a great example of facing failure and adversity, and I love that you brought him up.
As a perfectionist, this was a needed reminder for me in my current circumstances. Many of us fear failure and the thought of disappointing ourselves, others, and/or God. With God, the sole focus is to fulfill His will, whether or not it aligns with this world’s definition of success and failure. We have to devote and dedicate ourselves to serving Him, using the gifts He has instilled in us. Like Jeremiah, there were many biblical figures that were ridiculed and laughed at. The best possible example would of course be Jesus humbling himself and coming down to this world. He was not welcomed or accepted as the Messiah, yet he continued to carry out the mission His Father placed Him here for. He is our motivation to look at challenges as a part of the journey rather than seeing them as failures.
Hebrews 12:1-3
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.