Create Something Great From What You’ve Been Given 5-Day Reading PlanSample

They’re Not Here to See You Fail

I used to see the band Primus every New Year’s Eve. I remember seeing a good number of opening acts. They were generally well- received. One year Primus invited the band, Cracker, to open. It didn’t go so well.

Cracker opened with “Low,” their single on the Billboard Top 100. Everyone knew the song. As the crowd sang along it wasn’t with a spirit of camarade rie. They were clearly mocking the band. It was bad!

No normal person shows up wanting to see someone fail. As fans and supporters and consumers and friends, we want to see you win. If I’m going to spend my time and   energy and money to see you do your thing, I hope, for my sake and yours, that you crush it!

Years after seeing Cracker open for Primus, I got to see the first public performance by a young woman named Ethel. 

She was asked to play a song as part of a local non- profit’s annual fundraiser. The nonprofit worked with teenaged women, including Ethel. She had written a song about her journey with the program.

My wife and I arrived early to help set up for the event. We spotted Ethel fumbling with her guitar and mic. Her two song sheets kept fluttering off the music stand as she shakily adjusted and readjusted the mic and music stand. Amy said, “You should see if you can help her.”

I wasn’t sure how to start that conversation. Then I saw her searching her pockets and guitar case for a guitar pick. It was the perfect window of opportunity. See, I generally have a pocket full of guitar picks. I approached the stage and offered Ethel a few orange picks. She took them without saying anything. I knew she wasn’t being rude. She was really nervous. 

“What are you going to play tonight?”

“I dunno. I was gonna play this one song, but . . . I dunno.”

“What’s the name of the song?” 

“You wouldn’t know it. I wrote it myself.”

“So, if you don’t do that song, what else would you play?”

“I only have one song.”

    “Oh . . . well.” I contorted my face to look like the “yikes” emoji. She looked up and giggled, which became a laugh, which meant I could share in it.

“I’m sorry. I’m nervous. I don’t want to embarrass myself. I don’t want them to hate me.”

Everyone wanted Ethel to do well, especially the event’s organizers. They liked and valued the song she’d written. It was a good representation of their work and could help with the fund raiser’s success. 

I asked if she knew anyone in the room.  

“My sister and a few friends are here.”

“Okay, then. Before you start, be sure you know where they are in the room. When you feel nervous, look at them and trust what you see on their faces. They like you, they like your music, and they’re proud of you.”

She wasn’t flawless, but when necessary she looked at her sister, took a long, deep breath and laughed at herself. She jumped back into the song with energy, confidence, and a clear voice.

Five minutes later, I was on my feet, clapping and cheering, right along with everyone else in the room. Ethel took a potentially devastating moment and made it a huge success. 

 God is cheering for us every day. We can trust in him. He wants us to flourish. He wants us to look to Him for confidence and assurance in every situation. Fear not, he’s there to help us take any circumstance and make something great out of it.

Respond

1. Describe a time when you were afraid of failure. What did you do?
2. What are you trusting God with today?
3. Who in your life needs to hear about God’s love and protection? Who needs Jesus cheering for them today? Now go tell them.