Devotion #1: Fall Forward
“For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.” Romans 7:15
Romans 7:15 can be encouraging. This might fall in the category that misery loves company. It surprises many of us that Paul had the same struggles we have. Our intentions are pure, but the outcome is often a mess.
Romans 7:15 can also be discouraging. We may feel defeated before we start. I have heard many quit before they even tried because they were sure they were doomed. We are all aware that the common New Year’s resolutions of losing weight, exercising more, saving money, getting organized, reading more, spending time with family, and quitting a harmful habit seldom last longer than a few weeks. Many ask, “Why try?”
This can also happen with spiritual disciplines. I have encouraged men to pray out loud with their wives. It only needs to take 30 seconds. All too often, they will not even start to do it because they do not want to fail, knowing it will not last.
How about you? Is there something you know you should do and even want to do, but fear of failure has stopped you from trying? It may be attending, hosting, or leading a Growth Community. It might be setting the goal of reading through part or all of the Bible in a year. Possibly, it is committing to regularly volunteer at church by serving in the nursery, the tech booth, or in the lobby. Take the next step.
In counseling, I have often told people to fall forward or fail often. This may sound like horrible advice, but I think it is better to fall or fail and rise again than to fail by not trying. Sometimes, it is better to compare ourselves to what we were a week, month, or year ago than the perfection we feel we should strive for.
It may seem overly basic, but you will not hit a homer if you do not swing the bat. Most of us are not talking homers; we just want to make contact, and a single would be worth celebrating. Take a swing. Fail often. Fall forward.
Wayne Gretzky is a Hall of Fame player generally recognized as the greatest hockey player ever to play the game. (I think Gordie Howe might even agree.) Gretzky once said, “You miss 100% of the shots you never take.” (I realize Michael Scott used the quote, too.) By being paralyzed by fear of failure, we fail. We lose.
Everyone who has ever set goals, has fallen short. However, winners get back up, step in to the batter’s box, and take another swing. Paul is a hero of the faith. Yet, he too, had to battle forward. Begin your next journey with the first step.