Most things fail. Some would argue that everything will fail, eventually.
I often fail.
I fail to meet deadlines. I fail to achieve goals. I fail to remain focussed when people are talking to me. I fail to remember the really important item my wife told me to get from the supermarket. I fail to realise other people’s expectations of me. I fail to stop at a red light when my kids are arguing in the back seat of the car (once, I only did this once). This could be a really long list, so I’ll save you the reading…
In short, I am fallible. One of the many problems with this fact, is that I really don’t like to fail. But I am ok with other people’s failure. I even tend to find enjoyment and comfort in other people’s failure. Further proof that I am fallible.
I am not alone in this.
You are fallible too (don’t hate me, it’s true). I would also hazard a guess that you don’t enjoy failing and you even find solace in knowing that other people fail and can fail more spectacularly than you do.
I’ll prove it. For the past 5 years or more there has been a growing #fail and #epicfail meme phenomenon that consumes far too much internet bandwidth. Here are a few for your viewing pleasure.
If you don’t find any of these images even slightly amusing, you are a far better person than I am. That, or you’re a health and safety officer.
The apostle Paul in his letter to the early Roman church tells us that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) To sin, is simply that: to miss the mark, to fall short of the target or goal, to go astray, to fail.
We all fail.
In contrast, Paul also tells us, love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:8) Love never falters, never fades, never ceases, never dies. Love is constant. Love is eternal.
For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. (Psalm 100:5 NIV)
The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. (Jeremiah 31:3 NIV)
And surely I (Jesus) am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20 NIV)
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV)
God’s love never fails, but I do. You do. The good news is that He loves you with a love that is constant and relentless. No matter how often you fail. No matter how many times you fall short. Jesus’ love remains, endures, and pursues us.
Do you know this to be true?
Have you received His love in your life? Have you received it today? His love, compassions and mercies are new every morning.
Even though almost everything we do and experience in this life will cease, our great hope is, God’s love lasts forever.
OVER TO YOU
How often do you consider the everlasting nature of God’s love? Do you focus more on your own nature and failings rather than the infallibility of God’s love?
What if, each day, you were to ask Jesus to reveal His love to you?
LOVE IN ACTION
Imagine, for one minute (an entire 60 seconds), that you’re surrounded by and filled with the love of Jesus. Now, do it again.
Can I challenge you to do that every morning for a week? Focus on and receive Jesus’ love, even if it’s just for minute or two.
PRAYER
Lord, even though I fail often, your love is constant and everlasting. Because of your great love I am not consumed, for your compassions never fail. They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness. Reveal your love to me. I receive your love afresh and pray that it would fill and overflow in my life. Amen.
When we do not have Gods love I believe that we can become overwhelmed by failure and that it can lead to paralysis. After all why do things which you “know” you are just going to fail at. Surely the best thing is not do do anything so you will not fail right? We tend to hide in a corner or not go out of the house because there is always someone who is “better” or “more popular” who never seems to fail. We do not set goals or strive for anything because we know that this is not going to happen. We are just setting ourselves up to fail.
We live in a society where success matters and so we compare ourselves with the people around us to make sure we measure up to what we believe makes us successful. The house, car, job, bank balance all those material things which society decrees are important.My son uses the expression “failing at life!” for people who just do not measure up. They have not met the required standards.
But there is a different way! Gods love does not depend on any of the Worldly measures that we use. God sees us as perfect and does not see our failure. He Loves us unconditionally and always wants the best for us no matter what we do or how many times we fail. He encourages us to keep trying and never give up. He has a plan for our lives and this will never come to pass if we simply give in to our failure.
If you are paralysed by fear of failure then I would ask you to just try something new. Ask God to guide you and try something different. It may be picking up the phone and calling someone and arranging to have a coffee with them. Joining a club or group that is doing something which you enjoy doing. Whatever it is I believe that God will bless that thing and you will begin to see evidence of God’s love start to show itself and you will begin to feel more confident. There is no doubt that this has been the case in my life and even though this fear of failure is something that I struggle with often, I have a much better understanding of God’s love since I started to try new things and get more involved in what is happening around me instead of hiding at home and not going out.
My prayer is that this continues not just for me but for everyone else out there who struggles with this. May God guide you and support you. May you feel his love every morning as you wake up and start the day and also at night just before you go to sleep. His love is everlasting and he will never give up on you so please do not give up on yourself just because you may fail occasionally. Just remember that in his eyes you are perfect!
Great insight Roger.
I really like your practical advice too. “Trying something new” and getting out and engaging with people is really important.
Thanks for sharing!
I find it difficult to express my appreciation and thankfulness for “A Year of Love.” I have been a Christian for a long time and active in many churches but I have never seen a focus on love expressed and encouraged. If I may can I please encourage everyone to join the conversation and commit to the journey? I am sure you won’t be disappointed.
Thanks Ian!
Yes please spread the word, we want this to be contagious. A church and Christians that discuss and display love shouldn’t be novel, it should be foundational.