Facing Failure

   I am a failure. Do not misunderstand that sentence. I am not in a low place right now, but I was. For a long period of time I felt like an idiot, misunderstood, not needed, and just not good enough. Have you ever felt that way?

   The funny thing was, before I failed, things were going fantastic (I love that word; people just don’t use it enough). I had gotten a job that I was a great fit for, I had just had a relaxing summer, and I felt God was with me. Then it all came down in an instant.

   Sometimes when we fail it is of our own doing. Other times we fail and it’s just because of circumstances outside our control. Either way you fail it is not fun (unless you are into feeling like a ton of bricks conked you over the head, but most people aren’t that I know of). Now, if you’ve ever failed and I am sure you have, then you know it’s not easy to get over. It’s especially hard when it’s not your fault or not part of your plan. If this is how you are feeling I have good news, you’re not the only one that this has happened to.

   In Joshua 6 we hear about the story of how Joshua defeated the city of Jericho. They defeated Jericho in a really unconventional way, and it was a great victory. After the battle Joshua and the Israelites were to destroy everything in the city, except for Rahab and her family. That is exactly what the Israelites did, or so they thought.

   Joshua sent men to another city called Ai (Joshua 7). They said to send 3,000 men to defeat the city. Those 3,000 men came back defeated. The Israelites had just defeated this huge city of Jericho and they could not beat this small city? Joshua and the elders were crushed and they cried out to God because their reputation as a nation/army was ruined. God told them the reason they were defeated was because someone took something from Jericho and did not destroy it. Long story short they find out who took all the plunder and kill him. Then God tells Joshua to go to Ai again and they crush Ai.

   Joshua was on top of the world, then brought to the deepest valley, and then brought up the hill again. It wasn’t Joshua’s fault someone disobeyed God, yet he paid the price because he was the leader. He failed, but he did not wallow in grief. Joshua cried out to God, obeyed God’s instruction, and made a huge comeback.

   When we fail we can choose to wallow in grief because something bad happened to us; or we can get up and trust in God. Joshua chose to seek God for instruction because he knew God would never leave him. God won’t leave you either.

   So, when you fail will you wallow or walk with God? What can you do to further you’re your walk with God so when hard times come you are ready?

   Joshua 6-7, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, Philippians 4:4-7

   Image from here.

What in the World is Happening to Children These Days?!

   "R-E-S-P-E-C-T, find out what it means to me" (Respect Aretha Franklin). I've heard this song many times but I've never thought much about this particular lyric until recently. I love children. I really do because they have amazing curiosity, kindness, love for life, etc. But children, and people, have changed.

   We could blame the change on many different things: society, technology, morals, etc. But that's not why I'm writing this blog. I'm writing this blog for 2 reasons. The first is so people realize the changes in people/children, we will get to the second reason later.

   Today children do not listen to those in authority, do not have patience, need instant gratification, whine, and ask why rather than trusting those in authority.

   When I was younger I, and I'm sure many of you as well, listened to those in authority. Sure sometimes I failed to listen to my parents or teachers but I did the best I could to please my elders. Today children do not want to respect others no matter who that person is. They use the excuse of "we don't get any respect so why should we give it?"

   Children do not have patience and need instant gratification. We could blame technology and say that whenever children want an answer or want to win something all the need to do is turn to technology. They have an ideal that they should win something even if they lose because we have participation awards.

   If children do not get what they want they whine. If they get an answer they do not like they ask "why?" Rather than being okay with the answer they got from the person in authority.

   Now I understand that we want children to be curious, want them to work hard, we want them to question things. But this has been taken way too far.

   We are headed down a path that we may not be able to come back from. This path of selfishness and no patience because we want what we want and we want it now. This path of "I deserve it." You don't deserve anything but death (blog link)! This path of disrespect where we only think of ourselves and do not care about others' feelings.

   This is when we get to the second reason why I wrote this blog... see I made you wait and have patience ;) Thus far this blog has been pretty pessimistic but, just like in life, there is hope. We can change this path. We can choose to go down a different trail.

   How can we do this? We can say no to kids and people. Thus making those people realize that they do not deserve everything and making them work hard for themselves. We can stop giving participation awards and instant gratification. This makes people work hard for what they earn and work even harder to get that award again. We can disciple people and teach them right from wrong. This will help immensely with the disrespect problem if rewards are given for doing the right thing and taken away for doing the wrong thing.

   Above all else we must come along side people, lean on God, and pray. This path has already been paved and it's not going to be easy to turn around and change direction unless we are all working together toward this goal. We must keep one another accountable and help children who may not have good role models. And, when it seems hopeless, we must trust that God has a plan.

   So, have you seen this path that people and children are going down? Are you willing to make these changes so that children's lives can be better? Will you come along side others, be a role model, and trust in God?

   Matthew 5:16. Romans 12:12, Philippians 2:4

What's Your Motivation?

   In movies sometimes you will see someone who is acting like an actor. That person will sometimes ask the question, "what's my motivation?" In other words, "why is my character doing what he is doing?" The actor is trying to immerse himself into his character so that he can become that character.
   Sometimes I wonder if it would be good to ask other people that question. When people are younger, we enjoy asking them questions about what they plan to do with their lives. Then we ask them why they want to do that. Why do we stop asking people that question?
   I'll tell you who never stops asking questions: children. One day a child in my preschool class said, "Ms. Kat, why did you become a teacher? Is it so you could watch us eat lunch?" After I finished laughing, I had to actually think about that answer. It had been so long since someone had asked me that question. I had to think back and remember why I became a teacher in the first place.
   What about you? Why do you do what you do? Why do you get up in the morning? Why do you go to work? Why do you follow the religion you follow? Please pause a minute to answer these questions because sometimes I think we forget why we do what we do.
   I don't know what you do, and I don't know why you chose to do it. I don't even know why you continue to choose to do it each day. What I do know is that if you claim Jesus as your Lord and Savior then you and I should have some motivation in common. 
   1 Corinthians 10:31 says, "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." Did you catch that? That one verse tells us what our motivation should be. Whatever we do we should do it to reflect God's glory. That means if you are working on a big project at work you are working on that project for God. If you are making breakfast for your family, you are making that breakfast not just for your family but for God.
   WHATEVER you do you are doing it FOR GOD. That should kind of change how we think about our everyday tasks. It should also change our attitude toward tasks we don't enjoy as much. What would happen if we thought about everything we do as if we were doing it for God? What would this world be like? What would your life be like? I encourage you to take a look at your motivation in all you do. Why do you do what you do? Or, the better question may be, who are you doing everything for?

   Image from here.

Standards

   In this day and age we all seem to have very high standards. Some people will not buy off brand versions of food or technology. Some people will not associate with others that they deem lower than themselves. Some people demand a lot and think they are entitled to it.

   You may be thinking, "I'm not that bad." Let's see if you are correct. You are in charge of choosing the next CEO of a major company. There are many choices but the company has narrowed them down to 3 options. First there is a man who is well built. He looks tough and will not take no for an answer. You know he will push the company to new heights because he will push his employees. And, if anyone steps out of line he will get rid of them and find someone better. 

   Next there is a man who is smaller, leaner, and wearing glasses. This man graduated from Harvard. He excelled in all of his classes and graduated with a 4.0 GPA. He is also up with the times and is very tech savvy. You know this man will help push the company into not only the 21st century but the 22nd too. He will keep on helping the company grow so it will not fall behind other companies.

   Finally, the board has chosen a wildcard. This man is only 25 years old. His previous employment included a grocery bagger. Then he created his own company, which was doing very well. You also note that the company he created donates some of its profits to charity. You wonder why this man was chosen in the top three. He definitely doesn't have as much experience as the other two men.
   Who would you choose? Before you make an official decision let me remind you of a Bible story. In 1 Samuel 16:1-13 we find the account of Samuel choosing the next king of Israel. Samuel saw 7 of Jesse's sons and he thought all of them would be chosen because of experience, stature, etc. But, God didn't choose any of them because God looks at the heart. God cares about choosing leaders who care. He wants leaders who will help his flock grow. He wants leaders who will be good role models. He wants leaders who walk with him.
   Now, back to the CEO choice, who would you choose? Who do you think God would choose? We never know who God would choose but we must remember that God looks at the heart. He wants people who care about Him and about others, just as the great commandment calls us to do. According to God's standards a Shepherd boy can be king, a murderer can be the leader of Israel, a tax collector can become a disciple, and a carpenter can be the savior of the world. Each of these men were chosen by God to make a difference. They were not chosen because of their stature, experience, or knowledge. They were chosen because of their hearts.
   Imagine what God could do with you if you followed him with all your heart? Could you become a CEO that makes a difference in the world? Could you become a pro athlete that gives God the glory? Could you become a missionary that reaches the lost? God is searching for people who have a heart for him, do you have a heart for him? Will God choose you to make a difference because of your heart for him? And, if he does, will you be willing to listen to the call?

   Acts 2:38-39 and James 4:8
   Image from here.

Giving It Up

   Have you ever gone through a situation and you didn't know why the situation was happening? I mean, as Christians we walk around saying we know that God works everything together for our good (Rom.8.28). We try to trust God in the situation, but it seems like nothing is going right.
   I have gone through a few times in my life like this. One time in particular I was caught in the middle of a problem. I understood both sides and I my heart was breaking for both sides. I had made plans to try to improve the situation, but that plan was cut off. I didn't understand why. Then one day, it hit me: I was still growing.
   What?! What does that have to do with anything? I was still growing in God, and I still am. I was learning more and more about God. God is a good father. He loves us and wants us to grow in him. In order to grow in him sometimes we need lessons. 
   In this instance I was making plans for my life. I thought the path for my life was one way, and it still may be. But I realized that perhaps I had put too much emphasis on my plans. I didn't want to give up something that I had become comfortable in and with. However, God, in his infinite wisdom, knew that I would probably not grow as much in my comfort zone. He wanted me to grow in him. He wanted me to be willing to give up my comfort and my plan to follow his plan. 
   Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." We are asked to trust in the lord, not just a little bit, but with ALL our heart. In every problem, trial, and situation we are called to trust in him even if we don't understand it. We are to submit to the lord and his plan for us. If we do that, we may not understand why things happen in our lives, but we can know that the Lord is with us. He cares for us and wants us to grow in him.
   So, are you trusting in God through each situation? Are you willing to give up your plan to follow God's plan?
   Image from here.