Failure Is Not An Option

More musing from the Leadership Summit:

Failure is not an option. It's absolutely necessary. If you're not failing, then you aren't growing.

--Craig Goeschel, LifeChurch

In our culture, we constantly think of winning as the only valuable experience. Yet, the Bible speaks of how perseverance, troubles, and trial can be just as valuable. James 1:2-4. Indeed, such difficult times come with mouth-watering reward: The crown of Life promised by God! James 1:12. But only if you persevere, seeking the wisdom of God. James 1:5.

What thing are you "failing" at right now? What situation or obstacle seems insurmountable? Instead of thinking about it in terms of failure, reframe it from God's perspective. How can He use this to grow your character? Following the instructions in James 1:5, ask Him to give you wisdom in approaching your particular problem.

Now, here comes the hard part. Make an action plan based on God's wisdom and guidance. Share with us how your action plan will help you grow in your faith of Jesus Christ.

"Bring it on, God. Bring it on!"

This is the prayer of Catherine Rohr.

Her story is amazing. At age 26, in a period of 4 months, she gave up her lucrative wall street job and Manhattan apartment to move to the middle of Texas. She invested all of her money and savings and retirement into the program. In the process of her move, her moving van was stolen. By the time she got to Texas, Rohr literally had nothing.

But four years later, she is the CEO of an incredible program. Now 31 year, she manages a multi-million dollar prison retraining program. The program has graduated 400+ felons, retrained them, and helped with their reentry into society and the work force. In an area where the average re-offense rate is over 50%, Rohr's program has a single digit re-offense rate.

Her strategy is simple: Show up in the morning, get your orders, and execute in obedience.
Her question to us: Why is her story "amazing" or "unusual?" Shouldn't we all be executing our orders from God in obedience?

So I ask you: What has God asked you to do that you are afraid of doing? When are you going to obey?