“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you…?
2 Corinthians 13:5
Failure is one of the most powerful words ever concocted by us. It’s a state of being we generally try to avoid at all cost, yet it is an inevitable destination that we must all pass through at some point in our lives.
One of the coolest aspects of growing up, and actually maturing in wisdom as we grow, is that old words begin to take on new meaning.
I know for me, and a whole lot of people I personally know, failure is an heavy weight to carry. Whether you have it in you to get back up again and try again in Faith of the One who is leading you, (or who should be leading you) is what sets each person apart from the next.
Friend, the Lord says it is time to fail forward.
This past weekend was one of the two greatest celebrations known to every believer. I am referring to the Resurrection of our Savior. The birth of Christ our Lord is the other.
Before resurrection, even the disciples who were closest to Christ wallowed in what they believed was failure. They mourned the murder and crucifixion of the only Perfect One that ever walked the earth. The innocence of Christ was mocked, and assaulted.
I mean, here they were, aligned with Jesus, preaching the gospel, healing the sick, saving souls, and yet, Christ was killed.
Can you imagine the weight of failure that they each felt?!!!
And if we want to single out one particular individual who could have drowned in his state of failure, consider Peter. Christ’s beloved right hand man, who denied the Lord on three different occasions! Peter swore he would be loyal in the face of adversity, he thought he would succeed being true to Christ, he thought he would never turn his back on his Friend, but he did. Peter failed…at least so he thought.
Then Christ rose again!
The Truth was resurrected in Christ and the disciples actually failed forward. They believed in His resurrection, got back up and preached the gospel of that resurrection power in Christ our Lord!
Friend, it’s our turn to fail forward.
Whatever it looked like, whatever it still feels like, failure is not where you end. In fact, just like the resurrection of Christ was the beginning of belief for those who doubted, your failure is a beginning for you because the same power that resurrected JESUS CHRIST, is in YOU!!!
By His stripes you are healed. Christ suffered all the way to the cross. He had to die and be risen all so you can accomplish the very glory that this failure is trying to keep you from.
We must have tests during this life. Your failure is just another test of your faith! If you believe in the resurrection as I know you do, then you have got to start believing in failing forward because God is still in control. God says ‘you shall live and not die!’ Prosperity is where you will dwell, but you must keep failing forward.
Wherever you think you have fallen short, the grace of God is more than enough to restore the chance you thought you lost, the life you thought you’d never had. We know it because Christ rose again. Because of the resurrection, victory is ours. Because of the resurrection we have already won. Your failure is only a test to get you to your win.
By the power of God, you will fail forward and you will go from faith to faith and glory to glory in the Living name of Jesus Christ. Amen.