"You're just setting yourself up for failure." We're all familiar with the expression. It usually comes as someone's last ditch effort to get you to rethink doing something stupid. But it rarely works, because the stupid thing you're about to do is driven by such a deep desire, ain't nobody gonna stop you. In fact, you're well aware that you're probably gonna fail. But you do it anyway.
I have been fairly unsuccessful in my main Lenten practice this season. But there is a less prominent "practice" I've given myself to that is a constant, itchy reminder of God's grace in my life. I don't have to try to grow a beard. I have no control over it. What can I say? God has blessed me (nearly up to my eyeballs, as my sister pointed out to me yesterday) with hair. It may sound silly, but my beard reminds me of God's grace in my life. His strength is made perfect in my weakness, in my inability to control myself.
When you fail, what comes out of you? How do you respond to failure? What does is look like in your life to freely receive the grace of Jesus?
2 comments
Comment by Anonymous on March 4, 2013 at 4:57 PM
I have failed to practice Lent this season, not because of a fear of failure, but because of a lack of trying. My failure has made evident my laziness.
Comment by Ryan on March 5, 2013 at 7:24 AM
Grace to you, Kyle. May the Lord's strength be made perfect in your non-trying. :) Remember, we are spiritually transformed not by trying and straining, but by trusting and training. A couple questions for reflection might be: What could it look like in your life to trust God in the midst of your failures? What small thing might he have you do as a training exercise to become more like Jesus?
Thanks for joining us and sharing your thoughts.