Into the Fire

Just about the easiest thing to do naturally is to fail. For me, anyway.

But what about when “failure” isn’t really failure at all?

That’s not to downplay the fact that we fail. We do. I do. Most certainly.

However, once in awhile when a person does what he’s supposed to do, goes where he’s supposed to go—all of it after serious prayer and seemingly solid direction—and either nothing in particular happens as a result, or something wrong or wicked happens. Talk about confusion, dejection, and the feelings of failure.

One is forced to wonder if he misread God’s instructions. Did he hear God’s voice? Was he dead wrong in his spiritual discernment? Why didn’t he succeed at what God had directed him to do? Certain outcomes beg those questions, those conflicts of the soul, those negations of previous spot on decisions for the Lord’s work.

Only we know when we are disobeying the Lord. Many acts of ministry have been attempted and completed without the Lord’s anointing and instruction. Sometimes we just assume that since it’s a worthwhile project, we’re the ones who should do it. Everything seems to come easy in the setup or nothing works at all in the setup. Either way we have a biblical response. Deep inside we know what’s really going on.

Success in ministry is not measured as the world measures success. You go. You do. Whatever the Lord asks of you. If you do it with a willing heart, you have already succeeded. After you have gone and done, the results are totally up to God. We cannot save a single soul. We cannot convict a single wayward heart. We are tools, vessels. Nothing more. That we are used at all is a mind-sting. I mean, think about it. We’re still sinners, we still fail, we still do unrighteous, unholy things at times, and we still judge others when they do the same. My goodness! Or I should say, “My badness!”

Yet, He asks us. To do things. For His Glory. Awesome. Humbling.

This might not seem to be totally encouraging, but it really is meant to be. Christians fail. But once in awhile we Christians do everything right as God has asked, and it still appears as if everything has gone wrong. In reality it has nothing to do with the measuring scale we’re using. God has accomplished His plan because we did what He asked. Someday we will probably gain perspective, but we might not, too. That’s where we are required to have the faith that is pleasing to our Father and to trust Him and not lean on our own understanding. That’s the plan, and even when it doesn’t seem like it: it’s perfect.

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works to the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. (NIV)

Father, thank you for using us, for leading us, for sharing with us, for giving us purpose, for having a plan for our lives. Let us go boldly to your throne room and receive your mercy and further plans for your glory. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.