Failing Forward

Is failing a sign of failure?

So in the present case, I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone; because if this plan or this undertaking is of human origin, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them-in that case you may even be found fighting against God!' - Acts 5:38-39

In today's reading, the religious leaders are perplexed by the teaching of the apostles.  They want them to stop telling the people about Jesus, but they are puzzled by the fact that the word keeps spreading even though the leader, Jesus, was killed.

In the past, all movements died with the death of the leader, but this one is growing.

If the movement doesn't fail, they reason, then it may be God's will, and fighting against it would be like fighting God.

When God supports the work we do, failures seem to lead to greater successes.  Things go wrong, yes, and obstacles get in our way, but with faith they somehow manage to get resolved.

You could say that these things are a sign that we are doing God's work, but I think the message is greater than that.

When we are called to do something by God, we are committed to stay with it despite the obstacles and struggles involved.  We are compelled to move forward through the failures, because we believe we will be successful if we do.

So, either we will push ourselves knowing God is with us, or we will find the path is made clear before us, and that will be an indication that He is with us.  In either case, we will gain strength through the journey and that strength comes from God.

Therefore, we should not hesitate to start something believing we will succeed.  If it is the right thing to do, how can we fail?

More to come...