Caribbean Moravian Devotions

For many parents September is by far one of the best months of the year. Its arrival signals the end of the seemingly endless summer holidays and it is back to the regular daily schedule. At every level, from kindergarten to university, this time is a time to have a fresh start and so in many ways September can feel like January. ItÂ’s a new beginning. Now even if youÂ’re not an official student any longer we all have moments in our lives when we get the chance to begin again. Beyond the start of a new calendar year or a new school year, each month, each week and in fact each day is a chance for a new beginning. Life itself is like a school and with each day that we live, we can be taught some very important lessons. So over the next few weeks, each Friday we will reflect on what I consider some of lifeÂ’s odd lessons. The first for todayÂ’s FF is EMBRACE FAILURE!

I am yet to meet anybody who sets out on a path of FAILURE. I mean by that IÂ’ve never yet run into anybody who intentionally sets out to FAIL. We would think it strange if a couple, on their wedding day, declare to their invited guests that they are going to do everything to make sure our marriage is a FAILURE. Or what of the student who says to his parents I plan to do everything in my power to FAIL. Do you think that a university will accept an applicant who says on his/her admission form that their goal is to enroll in college and be nothing but a FAILURE? The truth is that we donÂ’t applaud FAILURE. Rather it is the last thing that we want to happen. We donÂ’t give standing ovation to persons we see as FAILURES. When you FAIL you donÂ’t normally broadcast it for all to hear. Quite the opposite in that we do all in our power to make sure as few people as possible find out about our FAILURE.

So how then do we EMBRACE FAILURE? How can there be any benefit to be had in FAILURE if everybody runs away from it? Is there more to be said about the unseen blessings of FAILURE? Imagine how much more miserable King David’s life would have been had he not EMBRACED the moral FAILURE in his life when confronted by the Prophet Nathan? Would Peter have become the great preacher on the Day of Pentecost if he had not by then EMBRACED his FAILURE in denying that he knew Jesus? Having EMBRACED his FAILURE, Peter could now EMBRACE his re-commissioning by Jesus after the resurrection. How different would the message from the Samaritan woman that Jesus met at the well that day if she had refused to EMBRACE her relationship FAILURES? Because she did, she could run back to her village declaring that she had met this man who was like no other – yes this man had told her about her FAILURES, but he had also given her the great news that she would no longer be defined by her FAILURES.

And therein lies the key to EMBRACING FAILURE. For it is when we make the tough decision to EMBRACE FAILURE that we are then freed to move beyond FAILURE. This is not the expected reaction and others around us who knows our FAILURE may be pleasantly surprise to see us EMBRACING it. So when (not if) FAILURE comes – and in whichever area of our lives – might God give us the grace to EMBRACE FAILURE.

Mikie Roberts (Rev)
HereÂ’s the link for the blog. Join in the discussions.
http://moravians.net/serendipity/index.php?/categories/1-Friday-Focus