There was a classic Some Mothers Do Ave Em episode with Frank Spencer at the psychiatrist after losing yet another job. “I am a failure!” he cried. No convincing by the psychiatrist would convince him otherwise.
To be labelled a failure can scar you for ever. To be bottom of the class wasn’t easy if we ever were. To have the headmistress write “see me” in red pen on the maths homework meant you were in trouble. To be set a test and fail it can be upsetting. Remember your driving test? I failed my first one spectacularly. I stalled the car at the traffic lights at the end of the road yards from where we started; my three point turn was ten points and the examiner after I answered a question on the Highway Code said “would you really?” I’d made a right mess of it!!
To leave people in a state of failure is cruel. We need to help people succeed next time. The Old Testament lectionary at the beginning of Lent reminds us of the Fall.
To quote today’s C of E reflection on their Dust and Glory app:
“From Adam and Eve – two “failures” – spring countless more stories of failure and hope, relationships and life: stories that are made possible through the lives and legacies of other imperfect, flawed and fractured people.
Failure is inevitable, but isn’t the end of the story.
All of us live with failure. But throughout the Bible there is a persistent understanding that failure doesn’t have the final word. From Noah to Moses, to Jacob, to David, God’s grace means human failure doesn’t prevent us from being part of God’s people and doing God’s work.
All of these characters in our Bibles we look up to and learn from today have their failures, yes. But they also become part of a much larger and longer story of God’s people.”
Failure is inevitable, but isn’t the end of the story.
All of us live with failure. But throughout the Bible there is a persistent understanding that failure doesn’t have the final word. From Noah to Moses, to Jacob, to David, God’s grace means human failure doesn’t prevent us from being part of God’s people and doing God’s work.
All of these characters in our Bibles we look up to and learn from today have their failures, yes. But they also become part of a much larger and longer story of God’s people.”
We are not perfect. We fail. But we meet in worship the perfection of God and the grace of God which helps us begin again. We need not be labelled and dumped or remain unconvinced we might do better next time. We are created to flourish! Desmond Tutu once said about our potential that God has amnesia when it comes to our mistakes. He doesn’t look at the caterpillar we are now but the dazzling butterfly we have it in us to become. We needn’t wallow in failure. We can begin again. After all, remember how this journey to passion and a cross ends. Not in failure but in triumph.
Last Sunday at West Tanfield church I was told I pick good old hymns. Well here’s one…
In wonder lost, with trembling joy,
We take the pardon of our God:
Pardon for crimes of deepest dye,
A pardon bought with Jesus’ blood,
A pardon bought with Jesus’ blood.
O may this strange, this matchless grace,
This godlike miracle of love,
Fill the whole earth with grateful praise,
And all th’angelic choirs above,
And all th’angelic choirs above.
Who is a pardoning God like Thee?
Or who has grace so rich and free?
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