Failure
Why do we hate failure? At the beginning of the semester I asked my students what sort of social activities would they like to do. They answered resoundingly, "Kickball." Our last semester ended with a great kickball game and the enthusiasm obviously poured over to this year. So, plan a kickball game I did.
I dubbed it the "Biggest Kickball Game Ever." We invited another group on campus to join us. There will be pizza. I had been announcing it for three weeks. I've even joked about bringing others to offset my insecurities about planning a party and no-one showing up. The day before the big game I re-announced the game to my group (5 were missing). "How many can come?" I asked. A few hands went up. "Seriously, how many can come? " One more hand went up.
The thing is no-one is maliciously "not coming." They have previous commitments, work, homework, class. I should be encouraging their normal life pariticipation. Instead, all I can do is gloomily moan that no-one is going to be there.
Why do I hate small numbers? Why do I equate success with size? Why do we equate failure with low participation? Why do we expect the gospel to be popular even if there is pizza involved? Why do we buy rock-bands, bow before clever preaching, and hand-out programs by the dozens?
Jesus died on a cross, alone, rejected. The church began in a small room with several very afraid and confused followers. Why can't I trust God that he will start this ministry, grow it, and produce His kingdom like He said he would, behind the scenes, in small ways, over time, including failure? Why can't I embrace failure when often, right beneath the surface lies the real kingdom of God moving onward?
I dubbed it the "Biggest Kickball Game Ever." We invited another group on campus to join us. There will be pizza. I had been announcing it for three weeks. I've even joked about bringing others to offset my insecurities about planning a party and no-one showing up. The day before the big game I re-announced the game to my group (5 were missing). "How many can come?" I asked. A few hands went up. "Seriously, how many can come? " One more hand went up.
The thing is no-one is maliciously "not coming." They have previous commitments, work, homework, class. I should be encouraging their normal life pariticipation. Instead, all I can do is gloomily moan that no-one is going to be there.
Why do I hate small numbers? Why do I equate success with size? Why do we equate failure with low participation? Why do we expect the gospel to be popular even if there is pizza involved? Why do we buy rock-bands, bow before clever preaching, and hand-out programs by the dozens?
Jesus died on a cross, alone, rejected. The church began in a small room with several very afraid and confused followers. Why can't I trust God that he will start this ministry, grow it, and produce His kingdom like He said he would, behind the scenes, in small ways, over time, including failure? Why can't I embrace failure when often, right beneath the surface lies the real kingdom of God moving onward?