Are you a fan of failure? Not too many people are, although some people do use failure as a reason to stop trying and stand still. Granted, failure can be paralyzing. There is another option though, we can choose to fall forward. That way even though we have fallen, at least we have gained some ground!
This is such a crazy concept to me since I have been terrified of failure for most of my life. I have actually not felt free to make a mistake for fear of the judgment of those around me. The thing is, it is human to make mistakes and mistakes are also an opportunity for God to shine His grace into our lives. In a way, by trying so hard not to fail, I was actually shutting grace out of my life.
God has been showing me that making mistakes is proof that I am trying, that I am alive and engaged in my world. Life is messy. There is just no way to navigate it all without an error now and then.
When we do fall, God, in grace, picks us up, dusts us off and tells us it’s okay to try again. He never leaves us lying there. (Although on occasion I have chosen to lie there and wallow in self-pity for a little while!)
I think falling forward is similar to leaning in to Jesus when things get hard. Sometimes I find myself wanting to pull away when life gets difficult, as though it were Jesus’ fault. And all the time He is waiting to enfold me in His arms and tell me it will be okay.
So my challenge to me and to you is, be brave! Step out in faith. And when we fall, may we fall forward.
“I was pushed back and about to fall, but the Lord helped me. The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.” Psalm 118:13-14
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