Never Give Up
By Jim Grassi
In today’s culture we often hear much about failure. Even with a slightly improved economy our news is filled with stories about countries that are collapsing, business ventures that have failed, and unfortunately too many churches that are closing their doors.
I’m afraid that with so many people focusing upon failures we forget that God’s Word is full of promises. It resonates the stories of people who had marginal beginnings but found ways to succeed. People like King David, Moses, Paul, Jonah, and Peter all had initial starts that might have discouraged some. But with the power of God they overcame their weaknesses and developed a powerful vision for their lives.
We are glad the Lord didn’t allow us to focus upon the reasons why developing a national ministry like Men’s Ministry Catalyst couldn’t happen. Instead He empowered us with His guidance and direction. The following thoughts will remind all of us not to give up on those divinely inspired visions and ideas that come our way.
We serve a God who gives us great ideas and abilities to tackle tasks beyond our reach. Think about these men the next time you are intimidated by a God-size vision.
SUCCESSFUL FAILURES
Creative people are often not recognized by their contemporaries. More often, they’re not recognized in school by their teachers. History is full of examples.
Einstein was four years old before he could speak and seven before he could read.
Isaac Newton did poorly in grade school.
Beethoven’s music teacher once said of him, “As a composer he is hopeless.”
When a boy, Thomas Edison’s teachers told him he was too stupid to learn anything.
F.W. Woolworth got a job in a dry goods store when he was 21, but his employers would not let him wait on a customer because he ‘didn’t have enough sense.’
A newspaper editor fired Walt Disney because he had “no good ideas.”
Enrico Caruso’s music teacher told him, “You can’t sing. You have no voice at all.”
The director of the Imperial Opera in Vienna told Madame Schumann-Heink that she would never be a singer and advised her to buy a sewing machine.
Leo Tolstoy flunked out of college.
Werner von Braun flunked ninth-grade algebra.
Admiral Richard W. Byrd had been retired from the Navy as “unfit for service” until he flew over both Poles.
Louis Pasteur was rated as “mediocre” in chemistry when he attended the Royal College.
Abraham Lincoln entered the Black Hawk War as a captain and came out as a private.
Louisa May Alcott was told by an editor that she could never write anything that had popular appeal.
Fred Waring was once rejected for high school chorus.
Winston Churchill failed the sixth grade.
And as it was with Jesus, “He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.” – John 1:11 In fact, they rejected him.
We may be rejected too, by some… But if you have a gifting and calling to a noble cause or purpose, remember the persistent attitude of ALL the successful failures above. And may we never miss or reject the Lord Jesus Christ, Savior of the world. He has the gift of eternal life to all who come to him and believe – it’s your “Passport into Heaven.”
Don’t leave earth without it!
Let’s Reflect What fears or handicaps are scaring you away from tackling a God-size vision for yourself, your family, and your church? What does Colossians 3:23 tell you about developing a good work ethic? What does Micah 6:8 tell us about our walk with Jesus?