Babe Ruth was a star pitcher and a great power hitter. He hit 714 home runs during his baseball career and is one of the most legendary figures in baseball history. Many would argue that he was the best baseball player of all time. But toward the end of his career, Ruth fumbled the ball and threw the ball badly, costing his team the game against the Reds in Cincinnati. Dejectedly “The Bambino” walked off the field headed toward the dugout when a crescendo of angry cries and boos rose to greet him. Their hero had let them down. Suddenly, a young boy jumped over the railing and ran out onto the field. With tears streaming down his face, the boy threw his arms around the legs of his hero.
Ruth picked the boy up, gave him a big hug, set him down, and patted his head. The cries from the crowd abruptly stopped. A hush fell over the entire park. In that brief moment, the fans saw two heroes on the field: Ruth, who, in spite of his own dismal day in fielding, cared about the feelings of a young fan; and a small boy, who cared about the feelings of another human being. Sometimes God’s love shows up in the most unexpected ways.
Failure is being unsuccessful in achieving a goal or lacking the expected or required action. Some people cannot move past their failures, and it begins to define them. “Failure” becomes a part of their identity. * Chuck Swindoll famously said, “Often the failure we most struggle to move past is the failure to live up to some unreasonable, artificial standard set by others or even ourselves.” That is why we need to let God define our successes and failures.
Biblical failure has to do with God’s expectations. It can be a moral or spiritual issue like falling into temptation or disobeying God. When we do not meet the Lord’s expectations, God wants to restore us. That begins with humbling ourselves before Him. “The Lord supports all who fall and raises up all who are bowed down” (Psalm 145:14). The Lord cares more about you than your performance.
People can be fickle, but the unconditional love of our Heavenly Father never wavers. It is hard to face others when we fail, but God says, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever abandon you” (Hebrews 13:5b). Instead of running away from our failures, we need to run to Him.
Scripture Reading: Romans 8:38-39
Personal Application: When the world stands against you, He is for you. When you fail, take it to Jesus. No matter how you perform on the playing field of life today, the Lord has a hug awaiting you at the day’s end. He is your Number One Fan. Jesus is a friend who walks in when the world has walked out. He said, “These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). What failure do you need Him to overcome?
*(Chuck Swindoll, insight.org/resources/article-library/failure)
Jim Grassi, D. Min.
We cherish any verse in Scripture that reminds us to keep focused and intentional about evangelism and discipleship. “But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:5