The Way Of LifeНамуна

Freedom to Experiment      

Establishing His will in the Earth seems rather simple on paper, but in real life it requires a willingness to try, fail, and try again. I have learned little in this life of faith apart from the freedom to experiment. Rarely does a child ride a bike successfully on the first attempt. That’s why I taught my kids to ride at the park where there was a lot of grass so that when they fell, they fell on the grass. As much as was possible, they fell safely, which I believe to be an often-forgotten responsibility of pastoral care. Many leaders think their job is to discourage people from trying, so then they won’t fail.

When I speak of failing, I’m not referring to moral or ethical failure, or experimenting with lifestyles that are contrary to the teaching of Scripture. I am referring to the God-given desire to learn how to represent Jesus well in purity and power. We become most productive when our hunger for fulfilling His mandate for our lives is greater than our fear of failure. I believe the willingness to fail is a necessity for growth, especially as we hunger for the biblical realities that are no longer the norm for the New Testament Church. Someone has to get the breakthrough so that others can benefit. 

Apply

Ask yourself: Is your hunger for fulfilling His mandate for our lives greater than your fear of failure?

BIBLE

• Romans 8:31-39