Clergy/Leaders’ Mail-list No. 0-006

Rowland Croucher

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Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Luke 12:34.

Abraham Lincoln experienced failure after failure – for twenty- eight years! In 1833 his business failed. In 1836 he had a nervous breakdown. He failed to be elected as speaker in 1838. He lost re- nomination to Congress in 1848, and was rejected for Land Officer in 1849. But he ‘hung in there’. In 1854 he was defeated for the Senate. Two years later he lost the nomination for Vice-President, and was again defeated in the Senate elections of 1858. But he was elected President in 1860, and went on to become America’s best- known leader ever.

Somewhere I found this paragraph: After the miracles in Galilee there comes the solitude of the cross. After the proof of God by success, there comes the proof of God in failure; a paradoxical proof, but how much greater, in fact, and more absolute, despite its apparently relative character.

It is difficult for most people to survive either success or failure. We (Western) humans have an inordinate need to demonstrate our worth by performance. We strive to be luminaries, rather than letting our light shine. We are what we do and achieve.

And we have an insatiable appetite for approval: much of the way we behave is a veiled means of soliciting compliments. Many spend all their waking hours willing themselves to succeed or fearing failure. (Our dreams continue these themes).

So, Lord, again I pray: If you grant me success, I will thank you. And if you grant me failure, I will also praise you. Amen.