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.

That’s Not Fair!

Athletes often find themselves asking for fair treatment, especially when they perceive that they are getting the short end of the stick (i.e. less money than a “comparable” player). We hear them whine and pout, sometimes threaten to skip practices and/or games, and in general be a negative influence on their teams.

Peter knew what it was like to feel this way. He was told by Christ that he would he would be crucified for his faith (John 21:18-19). He quickly wanted to compare his fate to his fellow disciple John. Jesus told Peter “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?” (John 21:22). Job is another example of circumstances not seeming fair. Job had practically every worldly thing taken away from him including his children. Job’s friends accused him of sinning against God and his own wife told him to curse God and die.

We may wish we had someone else’s circumstances sometimes, but that is not our decision to make. Proverbs 16:9 states that “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” The next time you start to bemoan your circumstances, remember that God has allowed your circumstances for a purpose...regardless of how unfair they may seem...because He allowed his Son to come to bring you life more abundantly (John 10:10).

Wanna Second Chance?

I had the opportunity to watch the Texas Rangers beat the Boston Red Sox earlier this week. Our seats were in right field, so we got to watch Josh Hamilton up close. For those of you who don’t know, Josh Hamilton’s story is quite amazing (text, video). Mr. Hamilton spent over 2 years out of baseball due to drug and alcohol addictions and returned to become a great major league player. He now uses his story to share his faith in Christ with others.

The Bible lets us know that God is a fan of second chances. The parable of the prodigal son is certainly a reminder of this, but there are actual accounts in the Bible as well. Samson lost his strength after giving into the whims of an ungodly woman, but God allowed his strength to return to show God’s glory. Peter denied Christ 3 times, yet was given the privilege of preaching a sermon where 3,000 were saved. Saul lost his sight while traveling to Damascus to kill Christians, but God restored his sight allowing him to become one of the greatest apostles responsible for many of the New Testament churches.

It is has been said that the way back to God is to just turn around. He is slow to anger and delights in mercy. Will you accept His mercy and return to His love today?

Freedom Isn’t Free

Many Americans this past weekend celebrated the anniversary of our country’s Declaration of Independence. However, this isn’t the most important freedom afforded to us. Christ’s death on the cross and resurrection provide freedom from eternal death and torment in the lake of fire. We often remember our soldiers on government established holidays....how often do we remember what God has done for us?

America was not satisfied with being the only free country in the world. America has come to the aid of Europe on several occasions and even helped rebuild countries that once warred against it (e.g. Germany, Japan). Likewise, Christians are not to be simply be satisfied with gaining their own freedom....Christians are called to be shining examples to the world of what living in God’s freedom looks like. In addition, Christians are tasked with proclaiming the truth that God has made evident in their lives.

So, let us be thankful for those who fought (and are fighting) for America’s freedom. Let us also give thanks to Christ for providing our ultimate freedom. Then we need to take the actions we are called to by our American and Christian citizenships.

Are You Running on Empty?

Jimmy Johnson and Greg Biffle both had the misfortune of running out of gas at the end of the NASCAR race this past Sunday.  Both racers had performed well during much of the day, but could not finish since they didn’t have enough fuel.  Has this ever sounded like your day or week?  Things started off well, but you didn’t have energy to finish what was required of the day...fortunately we are given several examples of where to go to have the perseverance to finish our race like Paul the apostle (2nd Timothy 4:7).

Christ tells us in John 15:4 that “...No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine.  Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”  In John 15:5 he makes this even more explicit stating that “I am the vine; you are the branches.  If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

What is the great thing about God being our fuel?  Jesus told the woman at the well “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst.  Indeed the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:13-15).  We know it is silly to try to run a car without fuel...then why do we try to live our lives apart from the true vine that supplies the living water we so desperately need.

Things Change, but God Doesn’t

If you’ve ever watched the movie Varsity Blues, you are familiar with the girl who dumps star quarterback Lance Harbor as soon as he suffers a severe knee injury.  On the car ride from the hospital where Lance is to the party that same night she begins trying to seduce the new starting quarterback Jonathon Moxon.  When he tries excusing himself by saying Lance is her boyfriend, she just says “Things change Mox...you’re the starting quarterback now”.

It has been said that the one of the only certainties we have in life is change.  All sorts of things change many times in our lives...friends, family, jobs, what city we live in, etc.  It can seem like everything is moving.  In these times it is so easy to get caught up in emotion and base our level of faith in God on our immediate circumstances.  This approach is like trying to run in place in quicksand....it just doesn’t work.

God has made himself known to us in different ways throughout history, but he has always been the same.  Malachi 3:6 states that “I the Lord do not change”.  Hebrews 13:8 also tells us that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever”.  God has always wanted His people to belong to Him alone and to bring Him glory.

Circumstances around us will always be changing.  We can choose to yield to our emotions and reject God’s love when things aren’t going well OR remember that God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.