The glory of God is a human being fully alive. ~St. Irenaeus
I’m still chewing on the same topic: Fear of Failure. Why? Because fear is a potent enemy of the joy we were made for. Because when held up to the light, fears are revealed for what they are.
The failure we fear comes in several sizes. There’s
- The Choke–you blow it when it matters most.
- The Shun–you lose the approval you crave.
- The Crash–your life ends up in shambles.
That we would avoid failure of any size is hardly surprising, but not inevitable. In a parable of Jesus we glimpse God’s perspective: Matthew 25:14-30.
A Parable
Before his departure, a wealthy traveller calls three servants into the room, and entrusts them with his investments. To one he gives five bags of gold, to another, two bags, and only one bag to the last man to arrive.
Clutching his more modest share, the last guy watches the others go to work. Trading wisely, shrewdly eyeing the rise and fall of the market–in no time they double their master’s money. The third man hesitates. The potential for such wild success is dimmed by the volatility of the stocks, conflicting financial predictions, the sight of panicked traders pacing the floor. The risk of failure seems high.
He digs a hole and buries the money, choosing the disappointment of his master over a future he cannot predict, and blames the master for his choice. The response is shockingly harsh, “As for this worthless servant, throw him into the outer darkness…”
A Wake up Call
A year ago a wise friend applied this story to me. What I thought was prudent humility, a sane avoidance of conflict and criticism, she named as a cowardly denial of gifts that are not mine to begin with.
I no longer look at my fears in the same way.
What has God entrusted to you? Have you “buried” anything out of fear of failing?
8 replies on “The Failure that Matters”
You have a disarming honesty that breathes life and welcomes seekers (and failures!). Rare.
And thanks.
Thank you, Robert. “Welcoming seekers and failures.” A good motto!
You’re hitting a little too close to home today, Janet!
Sorry, Deb! Me too! We can pray for each other.
That parable was always a troubling one to me. Thanks for the fresh light on it….and the conviction of being faithful stewards of the ” gifts that are not ours to begin with”…..I often shun the need for the harsh reprimand on the usage of the gifts I’ve been given… I am full of excuses! Thanks, Janet…..food for thought.
Soos, yes, a tough one. That parable, held up to the light of a love so amazing means wasting our gifts is so much bigger a problem than we can see. Maybe it is like putting a beautiful vase in a bank vault and never letting it hold flowers…thank you for engaging!
Very good explanation of that scripture. I’m always convicted when I read it and wonder if I’m missing something as well.. Courage? Strength? Drive?…. I’m missing all of these without God’s help along the path of life. I’m so glad that I cannot mess up if I put him in charge and not try to take His position.
Thanks Janet
Dawn
Amen, Dawn! Maybe that is the reason for the harsh tone–to shake us our of our wrong position. Thank you for weighing in!