Meditations On Failure
I am a noble failure.
There’s something about saying this that puts me at ease, takes my foot off the peddle, relaxes tightened muscles and clenched fists… and allows me to be, to perform with a more relaxed air because I have taken a step or two away from the project and put everything into perspective.
That’s not to say failure is imminent – no, I’m not there. But it’s always a possibility, even with our best intended motives. Am I scared of it? I was. Until this morning, when I looked it square in the face. And I was staring at a mirror. And you know what? I’m still here. The architect of serial failures, yet I’m still standing, even thriving. But am I pushing my luck? Setting myself up to fail again? Of course not. Who wants to go through the agony? But at least now I am not afraid of it anymore.
And you know what the funny thing is?
That’s what’s going to make me successful.
Great post! Failure sets us free from the tyranny of performance. It allows us to fall into the rest of God and take the approach that either He is going to do it, or it is not going to happen. And if it does not happen, or does not work out, then He must have something else in mind for us. This attitude is pretty foreign to us, alien even. And so it appears crazy. But the kingdom of God operates on a different logic than what we’re used to.
What I forgot to say is the reason I liked this post so much is because I’m a noble failure too! I’m happy to be in good company at Mission Bellingham!