“We need to study the failures of the “Giants” of the Bible.”
The comment struck an almost discordant note amidst a chorus of
“hallelujahs!” We had just completed a study of John Maxwell’s book, Running With Giants and were reflecting on highlights from
the 8-week course.
We looked at leadership styles from
such Old Testament patriarchs as Noah, Moses and David, and it was easy to
remember their successes. Reflected
in such descriptive phrases as “One person can make a difference,” “Live
in the faith zone, not the safe zone,” and “You can overcome the limitations
others put on you,” these stories were all very inspirational and
motivational.
Why, then, would we want to look
at their failures?
As someone said, “I’ve read the end of the Book, and it all turns out
ok!” But that’s a problem in itself – we know the “rest of the story.”
However, what happens inside the story is often where we relate –
the mistakes, the “gunk,” the falls from grace.
Noah got drunk, Moses had a crisis of self-confidence, and David’s story of
being an adulterer and murderer is well known. Of course, women in the
Bible had their struggles as well! I think of Sarah who wasn’t always a
flawless example of a life of faith! In fact, lack of faith might more
aptly label her belief: “God’s not coming through for me with a child.”
And yet, they overcome failures and became the heroes now so well
regarded. How did they do that? The short answer: Failures are just feedback for continued growth.
When I was a young girl, I created an
equation in my mind which read, “love = performance.” That conclusion
meant no one (including God) would love me unless I did all the right things in
all the right ways. Talk about a recipe for disaster! Insisting on
that kind of control and perfection is a set-up for inevitable failure!
The promises of Jeremiah 31:3: ”I have loved you with an
everlasting love” and Ephesians 1:16: “I am accepted in Christ” couldn’t
penetrate the emotional wall I created to keep me safe.
However, I discovered, as have many others, that the path of
least resistance, while easier, is not all it’s cracked up to be! That
same protective fortification also keeps out wonderful passions, joy and the
excitement of “being alive.” Finally, one day, my desire to
move forward became greater than my fear. It was time for the barriers to
come down, time to turn failure into feedback!
With tentative, sometimes fearful
steps, I began to dismantle that wall. I remember when I first “found my
voice” and dared to disagree with my father – wow! That was a big step
for me! When I wasn’t immediately struck by lightning, a small brick of
insecurity tumbled down!
Gradually, knowledge of God’s grace and
true love began to replace that false equation. What a relief to feel
accepted even when I didn’t “perform” perfectly!
I discovered I could declare, “I’d
rather have Mexican food tonight” instead of meekly murmuring, “whatever you
want is fine with me.” Another brick gone!
Walls come in all shapes and sizes –
when people with social anxiety speak up in a group, they’ve begun to dismantle
their wall. A woman consumed with self-doubt about her body shows up in a
new outfit, dressed to kill, and we know she’s conquering fear! A man
relentlessly determined to pursue a career, a relationship or a new challenge
finds the warrior within and walls plummet! These are failures turned into feedback.
Will it require hard work?
Yes. Will it happen overnight? No. Might we be tempted to
give up? Probably. But…….If the “Giants of the Bible” overcame
failures to become “men after God’s own heart,” let’s be encouraged. Even
when we blow it, if we take responsibility and ask for forgiveness, we too can
become giants of faith, ordinary people who turn failures into feedback.
