Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Failures or Experienced?

I got this by email today and just thought it was good.
I loved the line that says that failing does not make us failures--just experienced.
What experience I have! :)


Failure That Leads to Godliness
TGIF Today God Is First, by Os Hillman
01-05-2008

All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their leader.... - 1 Samuel 22:2

God uses broken things to accomplish His greatest work. When David was anointed to be the next king, he was just a boy, the youngest among all his brothers. Little did he know that the next several years would be years of fleeing from Saul whose successes turned into obsessions as a leader who had fallen from God's anointing. Perhaps David thought, "Why am I living a life as a fugitive?" I am the next king of Israel. Yet, his life was filled with adversity after adversity before he ever fulfilled the ultimate calling God had for him. Others began to hear of David's successes and identify with his plight. But, it wasn't the successful and polished who came to join him. It was "those who were in distress or in debt or discontented" who would be part of his army -- and an army it was! His army would become known throughout the world as the greatest ever assembled, not because of their skill, but because of the God behind the army. God turned David's men into "mighty men of valor" (see 1 Chron. 11:10).

God often uses failure to make us useful. When Jesus called the disciples, He did not go out and find the most qualified and successful people. He found the most willing, and He found them in the workplace. He found a fisherman, a tax collector, a farmer, and a doctor.

The Hebrews knew that failure was a part of maturing in God. The Greeks used failure as a reason for disqualification. Sadly, in the Church, we often treat one another in this way. This is not God's way. We need to understand that failing does not make us failures. It makes us experienced. It makes us more prepared to be useful in God's Kingdom -- if we have learned from it. And that is the most important ingredient for what God wants in His children.

18 comments:

Kellan said...

"God uses broken things to accomplish His greatest work" - so very true!! See you. Kellan

SunnySusan said...

I am older so I am more "experienced" na na na na ...LOL Is that something to be proud of.....NOT

I hide my distain of math from Amy also...LOL....but I think I am gettng it more....probablycuz I am not stressed by it...

Denise said...

Amen, very good.

Melanie said...

I have a lot of experience too!

Denise said...

My pastor told me one day when I was a bit down on myself that even though I did not have college education that I had L.I.F.E behind my name and it qualified me as a living testimony to God.. how true is that....... that is why I love the Samaritan Woman... she was a broken women but after she met the master, she evangelized her city........ how wonderful is that....... thanks for the prayers for Chris......

Lisa N Alexander said...

Reminds me of a word Elgin preached once...Seek and ye shall find...seeking means you'll look and won't find/be successful the first time. Requires "failures" before you find.

Great word Sharon!

Unknown said...

I have tons of "experience" and still getting more!

Julie said...

Yep, mistakes are our teachers, if we let them be. Don't you love that God uses our mistakes to build His testimony in us?

Os Hillman is a good man. We used to go to church together.

Thanks for sharing,
Julie
jewelzsightings.blogspot.com

eph2810 said...

I so love this Sharon. Thank you so much for sharing it. I totally agree with the writer of the devotion. Often Peter comes to mind when I 'fail' Him. Although Peter denied the Lord, the Lord restored him fully and equipped him to be his hands and feet. That gives me comfort.

Blessings on your day and always.

ThreeGirlyGirls said...

Well, you know that I'm totally with you on this one! I would not be the person I am today had I NOT experienced all my failures!! Oh my.....and I keep on gaining that "experience"!!! =)

Ally said...

I needed to hear this didn´t I? God knows where i am...and I so need to learn to refocus on my "experience" Thanks for all your love and encouragment and especially for your prayers.

She Rose Up said...

Wow! This message is everywhere for me today! LOVE it!

P.S. We watched a movie today about this,you would never guess it, it is the animated movie Meet The Robinsons, really a lighthearted fun way of learning this principal, highly recommend it...

& P.S.S. Our church calls itself David's Mighty Men (not our official church name) but, more this is who we were when Jesus got hold of us...we even have a song called that...I have been thinking about that concept a lot lately - love this post, I SOOOO needed it today!

Thanks, Sharon!
Maria

Anonymous said...

Have you heard the song "Broken Things" by The McKameys? It's always held a special meaning for me. :o)

(LOVE the new look!)

Denise said...

Come by my blog, I have an award for you sis.

Anonymous said...

((( hugs ))) I've been thinking about PawPaw all day -- how is he doing? D

Halfmoon Girl said...

I love your new look too Sharon- I keep meaning to tell you that! As usual, good thoughts here! Thanks for the reminder that God can uses imperfect ol' me!

Sassiekiwi said...

Good post Sharon. Failures are just opportunities to learn. They are never a wasted even in God's economy. I think I am VERY experienced! :)

luvmy4sons said...

Amen. Thanks for the reminder. The hardest area I find in seeing failures as a good thing is in letting my sons make choices that might result in a painful experience. I want to protect them, but in so doing I often keep them from growing. Your blog is now bookmarked. Glad I stopped by.