Three strikes doesn’t mean I’m out for good. I am so thankful Heavenly Father is the umpire of my life. When necessary, God has a way of allowing me to take tests again and again and again. He intends for me to ace the exams.
As a student, I hated failing assignments. Even when I went back for masters and doctoral classes at Oral Roberts University, I felt tremendous anxiety to perform well. Dr. Grizzle handed back one of my papers with dreaded words something like “Please redo this assignment following the attached plan.” Somehow I missed the email with the updated requirements, and so I was left to do it again – THE RIGHT WAY.
It may be cliche, but I felt someone had punched me in the gut. I did it to myself. It wasn’t Dr. Grizzle. No, he is a very kind and wise professor that meant me no harm at all. I was the one who didn’t live up to the requirement. Thankfully, I had the chance to complete it the right way for a good grade.
Somebody asked Winston Churchill one time, “What most prepared you to lead Great Britain through World War II?” For a period of time, Great Britain stood virtually alone against Nazi Germany as it dominated the Western World.
This was Churchill’s response: “It was the time I repeated a class in grade school.”
The questioner said, “You mean you flunked a grade?”
Churchill said, “I never flunked in my life. I was given a second opportunity to get it right.” [John Ortberg, “A Mind-Expanding Faith,” Preaching Today, Tape No. 126.]
Just because you’ve blown it, doesn’t mean you give up. Your life should be a sample of God’s work, showing His goodness and giving Him glory in every aspect of your life. Your life matters to God; He wants you to do good works to bring Him glory. There are things that you can do—that only you can do—that will bring Him glory. The Lord custom designs destiny.
- “So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:7 NLT)
- “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” (Ephesians 2:10 NLT)
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Abraham was old, Jacob was insecure, Leah was unattractive, Joseph was abused, Moses stuttered, Gideon was poor, Samson was codependent, Rahab was immoral, David had an affair and all kinds of family problems, Elijah was suicidal, Jeremiah was depressed, Jonah was reluctant, Naomi was a widow, John the Baptist was eccentric to say the least, Peter was impulsive and hot-tempered, Martha worried a lot, the Samaritan woman had several failed marriages, Zacchaeus was unpopular, Thomas had doubts, [Paul had poor health], and Timothy was timid. That is quite a variety of misfits, but God used each of them in his service. He will use you too if you stop making excuses. (Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life, p. 233)
Encourage yourself now. Don’t give up. What not make a loud confession of Micah 7:8? “I have fallen, but enemy, don’t laugh at me! I will get up again. I sit in darkness now, but the Lord will be a light for me.” (Micah 7:8 ERV) Come on! Say it out loud.
