"Failing Forward"

When I failed the devil railed,

And said I’ll never be,

Okay again, I’d never win,

Who was I to disagree?

And on the ground and so far down,

I wondered ‘bout the end,

If this was it, and if I quit,

I’d have no more to spend.

That place was dark, the choice was stark,

And shame was all I knew,

With no excuse, could not break loose,

And fear inside me grew.

But here’s what’s true, I never knew,

That hell could be right here,

The Spirit came, and Jesus’ name,

Made something very clear,

That I was low, but gone, heck, no,

My heart still had a beat,

There and then, God’s grace came in,

The darkness to defeat.

To lead me out, without a doubt,

And trade my dark for light,

Forgiveness real and freedom feel,

Repentance made it right.

And free to be, a tool you see,

To use the troubled son,

To touch a soul and make them whole,

With Jesus get it done.

So when I fell, and all the hell,

Of running God can use,

Failing forward into grace,

To Kingdom fruit produce.

“I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow-not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.” (Romans 8:38, NLT)

We sometimes underestimate the reach of God’s love. It is ultimately the most powerful thing in all of heaven and earth. But by nature it cannot force its way. God’s love is unconditionally offered but can only be experienced on God’s terms. What does this mean? It means that we are not healed, forgiven, and transformed until we cooperate with the love. We humbly receive it and intentionally turn from our selfishness in order to do so. Love meets us in the darkness but drives it away. We are led by love into the light of God’s will.

Lord, lead us by Your love, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Herman Walker, used by permission. Thanks, Herman, and God bless you.