Failure: May 20, 2011

MAY 20, 2011. TODAYS WORD FOR FRIDAY MAY 20, 2011

FAILURE

DEFINITION:

Falling short of success or achievement; non performance; deficit; weak.

SCRIPTURE:

Simon Peter said to the disciples, “I am going fishing.” They responded by saying that they were going with him. They went and got into the boat and that night they caught nothing. John 21:3.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

This fishing experience by Peter and the disciples was a total failure. In John 21:3-17 we read about this failure. When the disciples returned from their fishing experience they saw Jesus standing on the shore. (They did not know it was Jesus.)

Jesus asked them if they had any fish and they responded that they had none. So Jesus told them --- in their time of failure --- to cast their nets on the right side of their boat and you will find some fish. They followed the instruction of Jesus and there were so many fish that they were not able to draw in their nets for the weight. It was at that time that John recognized Jesus and said to the others, “It is the Lord.”

As soon as they came to land they saw a fire of coals and fish laid over it and bread. Jesus said to the disciples, “Come and eat breakfast.”

One of the things we felt important to teach our children was that there would be times of failure in their life as there is in the lives of everyone. No one likes to fail but there can be value in failure. Failure points out to us our mistakes. We sometimes learn more from our failures than from our successes. It isn’t so much about the failure itself but about how we handle the failure.

Our children had to learn that they might not get 100% on every test at school, they might not win every game in sports and in essence they would not be successful in everything they tried. We admonished them not to let fear of failure keep them from trying and encouraged them when they failed to work harder and try again. We let them know that we supported them in all their endeavors and whether they were successful or they failed we would love them and be there for them.

The disciples fishing venture was a complete failure. This was a low point in the lives of the disciples because although they knew Jesus was risen from the dead and alive, He was no longer with them on a daily basis. The disciples were unsure as to what the future held for them.

It was in the moment of failure that Jesus appeared to Peter and the disciples. He commanded them to try again and throw out there net. When they obeyed and did as Jesus said they had success. Their net was filled with so many fish they could not haul it into the boat. Jesus fed them and told them to go and “FEED MY SHEEP.”

We can learn from this lesson today how we should respond to failures in our lives. We fail normally because we endeavor to do what we are doing without involving the Lord. When we involve the Lord, every day in everything we do, He will lead us and bless us so that we will accomplish what He wants accomplished.

Jesus is willing to forgive our failures and call us back into our service with Him. We are not perfect and Jesus knows that. If only perfect people qualified to serve Him, He wouldn’t have anyone to choose from. Although we are imperfect and fail so often, the Lord can still use us when and if we are willing to be used. Are you willing and wanting to be used of God?

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Ecclesiastics 12:1:

Remember now thy creator in the days of your youth, before the difficult days come, and the years draw near when you say, “I have no pleasure in them.”

PRAYER:

Thank You dear Lord that being imperfect doesn’t disqualify us from serving You. Give me and my family today the wisdom that only You can give and the willingness to serve You with total dependence on Your mercy.