Lessons From Failure

You may have heard about Josh Hamilton having a relapse from his battle with alcoholism. The actual incident occurred in January, but the photos were released this past Saturday (story on MLB.com). Unfortunately, this is all too vivid a reminder that “nothing concealed will not be known or brought out in the open” (Luke 8:17). So, what are we to take away from Mr. Hamilton’s night “off the wagon”?

1. We are all vulnerable - The great apostle Paul said “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do” (Romans 7:15). Paul had a remarkable change from being Saul of Tarsus responsible for killing Christians to being a major influence in spreading the gospel of Christ to the Gentiles. If a man as great as Paul still struggled with sin after such a dramatic change, why should we expect to be any different.
2. The story doesn’t have to end in failure - Samson was given great strength by God that enabled him to kill a 1,000 men with the jawbone of a donkey (Judges 15:13-15) . Yet over time he gave into his desires for Delilah, telling her that the secret of his strength was his hair (Judges 16:17). Once the Philistines learned his weak point, they shaved his head, seized him, and gouged out his eyes (Judges 16:19-22). Samson prayed to the Lord to return his strength and was able to kill more Philistines in his death than during his life (Judges 16:28-30). There are many other examples as well including: 1) Peter denying Christ 3 times (Luke 22:34, 54-60) and still being allowed to preach a sermon where 3,000 were saved and 2) David committing adultery with Bathsheba and then orchestrating the murder of her husband, yet being called a “man after God’s own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14). This is because “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

Certainly Mr. Hamilton has people that believe his recovery isn’t real because of this relapse. Fortunately, Mr. Hamilton’s wife is firmly in his corner and her faith in God is quite evident in her responses to critics (Katie Hamilton article). Paul did not want to take Mark on a second mission trip after Mark had deserted them on a prior trip (Acts 15:37-40). After a sharp disagreement, Barnabas decided to part ways with Paul and take Mark with him. Later, Paul said “Get Mark and bring him with you, he is helpful to me in my ministry” (2nd Timothy 4:11). This doesn’t mean that any one person will have such a dramatic turnaround...although we can certainly hope, pray, and encourage them.

Special Treatment

There are stories about players being so talented that their teams felt it necessary to give special treatment. Barry Bonds had his own corner of the clubhouse when he played for the San Francisco Giants. When Manny Rameriz was with the Boston Red Sox, the phrase “Manny Being Manny” was said on a regular basis to reflect the superstar’s unique behavior. Both of these players have posted great numbers in their careers, but the favoritism they received may have cost their teams greater success.

We are also told not to play favorites in our lives as Christians (James 2:1). We are told not to judge by appearances or by monetary riches (James 2:2-3). In fact, Jesus said that we should seek to hold dinners for the poor, crippled, lame, and blind rather than for friends, family, and the rich who can repay the invitation (Luke 14:12-14). Furthermore, even slave owners were told not to show favoritism towards the treatment of free men versus their slaves because God is our Master and there is no favoritism with Him (Ephesians 6:9).

We serve a God that “...accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right” (Acts 10:34). Furthermore, God told Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height...Man looks at the outward appearance,but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). So, let us practice loving each other regardless of ability, charisma, or stature.

Who’s Name Are You Standing Up For?

Do you want to see a player get angry? Call them out and say they don’t have the ability will, or character needed to do the task at hand. This isn’t a newly found behavior…just go to a local playground and watch the response if a child is told the same thing. Have you ever thought that the reward for actively defending your “reputation” wasn’t worth the price to do it? A better alterative is to make sure people know the true nature of the God we serve.

Men like Pharaoh, the Pharisees, and Pilate were all worried about defending their reputation…you can see how that turned out. Men like Joseph and Job were more concerned with obeying God than proving their critics wrong. Shadrach, Meschach, and Abendnego were thrown in a furnace for refusing to worship a god other than the God they served (Daniel 3). The furnace was so hot that it killed the soldiers who placed then in the furnace, but Shadrach, Meschach, and Abendgo walked out unharmed. David was determined to fight Goliath so God could show His glory in taking out this disgraced Philistine who was trying to defy the armies of the living God.

In Elijah’s day, the people of Israel began worshipping Baal…to the point where Elijah was God’s only prophet in Israel (there were 450 Baal prophets). Elijah had a contest with Baal’s prophets to show the people of Israel that God is the ONLY God (1 Kings 18:16-40). Baal’s prophets could not get Baal to light their altar for their sacrifice despite dancing and cutting themselves. Elijah poured water over his altar 3 times and prayed “…let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. Answer me, O Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.” God sent fire than burned the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, and the soil…it even licked up the water in the trench.

We can have 1 of 2 responses when others have a different view or criticize us. We can be about self-preservation/promotion and make it all about ourselves OR we can stop and think how will God be glorified in my response.

Size Matters….NOT!

If you got to watch the San Diego Chargers play the Indianapolis Colts last weekend, you were in for a treat. Darren Sproles, all of 5 feet 6 inches tall, racked up 328 all-purpose yards…which is good enough for 3rd all-time in playoff history. When he entered the NFL draft out of Kansas State, he had plenty of critics...he’s too small…he’s only a kick returner or 3rd down back…you can’t depend on him every play. I wonder how many folks still doubt Darren Sproles after that great performance.

Mr. Sproles isn’t the only person that has ever had people doubt him because of his appearance. David was the youngest of eight boys in his family. When Samuel came to anoint the next king of Israel, he thought any of David’s older brothers were surely the one God had chosen. Instead, God told Samuel “Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). When David was called in from tending the sheep, God told Samuel to “Rise and anoint him; he is the one” (1 Samuel 16:12).

Jesus showed us how we are to be more concerned with people’s hearts than with their looks or prestige. He often disagreed with Pharisees and Sadducees that were considered the most religious people of the day. Instead, Jesus spent much of his time teaching “common people”…reaching out to leapers, prostitutes, and people that He wasn’t “supposed” to talk to. God isn’t about the way things look…we shouldn’t be either.