Called Out of ChaosSample

Failing

So, if we are still spinning plates (because let’s be honest, we usually can’t give up all our responsibilities on a whim) what happens when one of the plates does fall and break? In other words, what do we do when we feel like we have failed ourselves, our children, our friends, or even God? 

Well, I think it is helpful to look at the opposite of what failure is. Some might think the opposite of failure is winning or succeeding, but I think it is actually trust. In this world, we often fail because we have put our trust in something not worthy of that trust. In reality, Scripture never says that we are going to succeed if we are a Christ follower, or that we will never make mistakes. But it does say that we can put our trust in God when failure does happen. 

Peter gives us an example of how we can be so caught up in our roles that they become a replacement for our identity. Peter was a disciple of Christ but originally he was a fisherman. After Jesus had been crucified (where everyone must have been completely lost on who they were now that Jesus was not there) he began to turn towards his old identity. When Jesus was resurrected and walking next to the disciples, Peter says he is going to fish instead of following Jesus. When he does this he ends up not catching any fish at all until he listened to Christ and realized who he was as a follower of Jesus. 

But hear this: Jesus was never disappointed in Peter. He never abandoned him or forgot him. Jesus remained faithful and Jesus will always be who we can put our trust in. 

Maybe breaking a plate isn’t that bad after all. Maybe it can shift our perspective to look across the chaos, or circus, if you will, and towards Jesus. Next time you “fail”, look at it as an opportunity to examine what you are putting your trust in, and refocus your perspective on the One that never fails.