Failure

Often times we don't do what we want to do. We set goals and we fail a lot. I tend to get discouraged after failure and play this act of indifference and apathy. I give up to prevent further failure as if this attitude will protect me from the sting of failure. Actually it just feeds the flesh, the pride, the sin inside of me. I've been so blinded by the lies of the Evil One in this area of my life. Don't try, be safe. That is what is whispered into my ear. And every time I listen to that damnable lie the Spirit is quenched and my passion to love Jesus is squelched. God is so gracious to me in this area of my life though. He reminds me tenderly and firmly of who He is and what He is calling me to do by His grace. And I'm learning, praise God, to not just try, but pour out my heart in the things that I do. Failure will come, but where failure increases, grace abounds all the more (adapted from Ro.5:20) As I live and embrace my weakness, instead of fighting for this unattainable perfectionism, I am freed to grow in grace. I am free to grow in the knowledge of Christ's work on the cross and the power of His resurrection. I am free to draw near to a God who doesn't coldly demand my perfection today, but promises my perfection by His grace, in His timing. And so with that mind may I live, giving myself completely to the pursuit of His glorious face, delighting in Him alone, resting that He will finish the work that He started (Phil. 1:6) To the praise of His glorious grace.