He was a murderer.
But God called him a man after His own heart.
He was a liar.
But God called him a man after His own heart.
He was an adulterer.
But God called him a man after His own heart.
Imagine what would have happened if King David, irritated with his failures, had thrown up his hands and said, “Forget it. That’s it! I have failed again. I QUIT being King! I refuse to write another psalm! Israel can find another leader. I am done!”
It is so tempting to let our perceptions of ourselves as “failing” determine what our next step will be. When it comes to the journey toward freedom with food, eating and body image, we tend to act like this is a diet…something we can “quit” if we don’t string together enough “good” days.
The truth is, God has called us to press on–through the “good,” the “bad,” and the “ugly.” If we want to be women (and men) after God’s own heart, then let us take a cue from King David. Maybe being someone after God’s own heart isn’t so much about whether we fail or not as it is about what we *do* with the perceived failure. Do we let it control our choice to keep on? What kind of warped perfectionism is this that would make me say “Forget it. I give up! I ate too much (or “past 5″) too many days in a row. I am a Thin Within drop out! I will never get this thing beat, so why keep trying? I QUIT!”
What if, instead of letting my failures, mistakes, and shortcomings determine the course I choose, I were to think of my failures as stepping stones? What if I were to submit my “failure” (and mySELF and my next choice) to God and then humbly STAND on it and USE it in the power of the Holy Spirit to keep on the Path to which God has called me? Is it possible that this journey is comprised of a number of stepping stones, some “failures” and some “successes?”
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Why not put each and every one firmly under my feet in the strength that God provides? Rather than allow my “failures” step all over me, I want to step on them and launch on into what is next on this journey.
I am so glad that King David didn’t quit being King. There are so many lessons I learn from Him in the Scriptures! Maybe the chief lesson of them all is that God uses those who fail–and badly–and He even proclaims the one who presses on anyhow as one after His own heart!
How about you? What if you were to follow David’s example, that no matter what “failures” you may experience, you just keep on being faithful…keep on growing a heart after God’s? What if you were to step on those failures as though they were a means of getting to the goal instead of a wall blocking your way?
Stepping stones! I know the Bible says in Romans 8:28: ” And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” So even the mistakes I make can draw me closer to God if I let them. The shame I once knew over my weight and my mistakes are gone!
That is so awesome, Merry. Shame is a killer. When we break free from shame, I am convinced that nothing can contain us! The sky is wide open and we can fly! Thanks be to GOD! 🙂
Stepping stones/failures: “you should know betters”, “you’re a nurse”, ” you are a type II Diabetic”….stepping ONWARD stones!