My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but
joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance
have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing. James
1:2-4.

Jesus promised his followers three things: constant trouble and constant joy (because
of his constant presence). We moderns have been seduced into thinking that,
properly-organized, life can be trouble-free. Psycho-therapist M. Scott Peck (The Road
Less Travelled) says our society doesn’t believe life should be difficult, or that
solving problems gives life meaning. Neurosis, Carl Jung used to say, is always a
substitute for legitimate suffering.

I don’t know who said ‘It’s not whether you win or lose, but how you
play the game’, but I reckon most modern sporting clubs wouldn’t want that
fellow in their team. We love winners. Remember Jack Dempsey, the ‘Manassa
Mauler’? He was the world heavyweight boxing champion, and he came up with the best
definition of a champion I have heard: ‘A champion is a guy who gets up when he
can’t’. Falling isn’t failing, but staying down is… We are as good as our
next performance, not our last one.

So, Lord, just as you did not cast away your people who failed in the past, but forgave
them, restored them, and recommissioned them, so I, now, too, accept your grace. Remind me
anew that while failure is always possible, failure is not final. Thank you Lord, Amen.

Rowland Croucher <>