Again, readers, I am sharing a portion of Chapter Two, Walking with God, from Matthew Kelly’s book, A Call to Joy. My comments are italicized. Enjoy.
When you acknowledge your imperfections, you are on the brink of great growth and wonderful times.
None of us is perfect. This is a truth that most of us learn early in life. Yet, though we are not perfect, we are perfectible!
We have all witnessed ourselves and others failing in different areas of our lives. Some allow their failure to be transformed into despair and defeat. Others are able to get up, move on, and struggle again.
Something failures just look like failures. Other failures really are failures and need to be recognized as such.
Vincent van Gogh, the Dutch painter, is now hailed as one of the greatest artists of all time. But he did not enjoy the same acclaim and success during his lifetime. He painted 1700 paintings during his lifetime. He sold only one of them, for a mere $85. Almost 100 years to the day after his death, one of his paintings was sold at auction for $40 million. Sometimes failures just look like failures.
Imagine if after paining five pictures and not being able to sell them, van Gogh had quit. Today we would not have sunflowers and so many of his other works to enjoy.
How do you respond to failure? When you fail, particularly in your struggle to become a better person, how do you respond?
It is interesting to look at the circumstances in which both Judas and Peter found themselves just prior to Jesus death and then to compare how they responded. Judas betrayed Jesus. Peter turned his back on and denied Jesus. They both failed. They both fell. The difference is not that one of them failed and one of them succeeded. No. The difference is how they responded to failure.
Judas experienced discouragement as a result of his betrayal. He allowed his discouragement to be transformed by pride into despair. His pride was his defeat.
Peter also experienced discouragement as a result of his denial. He allowed his discouragement to be transformed by humility into hope. His humility was his victory.
With whom do you identify when you fail? Judas or Peter? Are you prideful or do possess humility?
Get used to failing. We all fail sometimes. It is often the key to success. It is a big part of human existence and it’s an inevitable part of the struggle. But if you persevere you will emerge victorious and fulfilled. So often it is our fear of failing that prevents us from attempting to change and from seeking the joy we desire.
Powerful stuff. Simply put! Pride vs. Humility. Pride wasted my best years. I trust you learned humility early. Regardless, it is never too late to CHANGE! Blessings as you fail forward traveling FORTH in Spirit empowered humility>>>> merlin