Failure in the World is Preparation in the Kingdom
Part of my calling is to help people see and live their lives from a Kingdom perspective. What did Jesus teach regarding His Kingdom during His time here on the earth? In a single sentence, it’s an upside-down Kingdom, a revolutionary way of thinking that is unlike how our natural instincts (our flesh that lives in a fallen world) would typically respond.
When good or bad things happen in life, do we take a moment to reflect, how does this translate into Kingdom thinking? One area of life that none of us can avoid is making mistakes, poor choices, bad decisions…basically, failure of any/every kind. In the world, failure often leads to regret. Rejection from others or self-rejection can drive a stake of shame and unworthiness into the most courageous of hearts. And the fear of failing again, feeling the pain and humiliation that so often accompanies any attempt at progress, can leave a person feeling frozen, paralyzed and held prisoner by one’s own self-doubt.
Now, let us look at this same scenario through the lens of the Kingdom. When you choose to step out and take a chance, doing the best you can, using your current level of insight and wisdom the best way you know how, trusting that God is with you and the Holy Spirit is guiding you…then you CANNOT fail. Even when circumstances or decisions do not turn out the way you thought they would, God can use that. So often, through the eyes of Christ, this is the Father’s kind and gentle way of refining you, forming you into His likeness with every pivot and new skill you learn.
Social scientists would say that the most talented and successful people in the world are the ones who chose to try again and again, never becoming weary of failures, rather seeing each attempt as progress. Preparation for the next endeavor, a new level of mastery. This is how it is in the Kingdom. God has ordained you with a very unique destiny. One that no one or no “thing” can stop, or steal. But many people will fall short of achieving all that the Creator had in store for them, due to fear of failure.
So, I would like to encourage you today, do the scary thing. Even if no one notices OR if everyone is watching. Do not fall victim to regret or shame. Nothing is wasted in the Kingdom and if you keep those supernatural glasses on, you will truly become unstoppable in advancing in your destiny, in reaching your full Kingdom potential.
Know that we can never get too far off the path God has for us, not if we are staying in relationship with Him, and that every brave step forward will be rewarded. It is preparation. It is positioning you for God’s next move in your life. It is the way of Kingdom living. Nothing is wasted. Here are a few verses to meditate on.
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. -Colossians 3:2
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. -Isaiah 55:8-9
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. -Romans 8:28
You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. -Genesis 50:20
