Today I had a great conversation with someone I respect and love. We were dealing with our troubles and inner turmoil. As we talked, I found myself working through similar themes that we had both experienced over the last few years. A moment came where I needed a tale of biblical proportions. One that would have meaning for both of us in that moment of need.
I reached back to Luke and found the story of the prodigal son. You know the one…where he takes his father’s money and takes off on a wild goose chase of women, trouble and sin. It drops him into a pile of crap (literally) and smelly pigs. Realizing he’s made a mess of things he decides to throw himself to the mercy of his long lost father in hopes of becoming maybe a servant in the house.
When he returns of course he finds his father accepting him with open arms and love all around.
The conversation tonight talked about life as a failure and how when we look at all we’ve done we sometimes believe we’ve failed. My point that I came to realize through talking was that life is never a failure, as long as you come back to Jesus. Sound corny, no? There are days in which you will fail…but coming back from those failures to realize the errors of your ways and knowing how to avoid such trials and tribulations in the future is the key to ones future.
Your life is lived for God and God alone. Everything you do is directly reflective of God’s plan for you. In everything you do you succeed in some manner. Many times we find ourselves looking back and wishing for different events. Reality is that’s useless. Be thankful for those good times. Be thankful for those bad times. Be thankful for the times you think you’ve failed. Perhaps you did at that moment or in that instance. But in the long run you’ve made mistakes, errors and trip ups to teach yourself the road you never want to travel again.
Tonight in that phone conversation I found myself saying, “Your life is not a failure. It is a 25 year lesson in what life has for you. Where you’ve been is one path. Where you’re going is another.” And it is true. If you’ve hit rock bottom there’s nowhere to go but straight back up into the light and hope of tomorrow.
Life is not a failure until you allow it to be so. God wants you to live and grow in him. Sometimes we take detours based on our decisions early in life that set us on a course that never seems to stop throwing punches at us over and over again until we spit out a tooth or two and cry, “Uncle!”.
This is where The Prodigal Son found himself that day when he realized where he was, where he had been and where he was going if he didn’t turn around and seek something better. We’ve all been there in one manner or another. The power is in you understanding what those failures can mean to you. Will they mean how utterly stupid you were? Or will they mean what you’ve learned about yourself, your weaknesses and your strengths?
Life is meant to be lived, loved and celebrated. Even in our failures, we are successful. The key is finding ways to turn the ship around and set sail for the only road that’s gonna have a hell’s (pun somewhat intended) chance of saving that soul of yours.
God’s good. Not safe, but good. Take your failures to him and seek the hope and faith of tomorrow.
Aaron,
I just read this – This is really good stuff and also really true stuff about life. You have a gifted way of putting words together. Haven’t IM you for awhile – maybe we can catch up in the next day or two. Love you lots. Mom
Thanks!