“Failure is really a matter of conceit.”

A thought by John C. Maxwell (2000-03-08) from his book, Failing Forward: How to Makethe Most of Your Mistakes (p. 18). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)

Think about this. John continues, “People don't work hard because, in their conceit, they imagine they'll succeed without ever making an effort. Most people believe that they'll wake up some day and find themselves rich. Actually, they've got it half right, because eventually they wake up.”

I had someone yesterday try to get me involved in some get rich scheme. Some people think that is the way God works. No, he works through people working. He gives us abilities and then opportunities. And then we work hard and smart. Work is God’s plan.

But we sit around and wait on God to meet our needs. And he is waiting on us to do our part. Now is it easy. No but it can be exciting and challenging and rewarding.

John then says, “Each of us has to make a choice. Are we going to sleep life away, avoiding failure at all costs? Or are we going to wake up and realize this: Failure is simply a price we pay to achieve success. If we learn to embrace that new definition of failure, then we are free to start moving ahead— and failing forward.”

But our conceit and our laziness and our fear of failing keep us on the shore waiting for our ship to come in when all God wants is for us to start rowing out to the ship. He has provided us with so much but he has a part for each of us to play. And it may be very difficult but it will be rewarding.

So what are you waiting for?

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“There’s a big difference between building a castle and building a kingdom.”

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A thought by Rick Warren, (2012-10-23) from his book, The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? (Purpose Driven Life, The) (p. 35). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. Rick posed this question at the end of his chapter, You Are Not an Accident. In this chapter he deals with the fact that God created you the way you are with a purpose. In other words you are not an accident. I am also reading the Apostle John’s view of Jesus and what He said and did while He was here on earth. In the beginning of Chapter 9 there is a story about a blind man. And the disciples who were with Him asked Him a good question, “Who sinned, this man or his parents that he was born blind? ” Have you ever asked the same thing about something in you that you don’t like? Like that characteristic is a curse or something. Society has set a standard that is not a standard of God. Remember, He created you and you are not an accident. Je...

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