Staying the Course in the Face of Humiliation

The young pianist began with a flourish and played with gusto, when, of a sudden, she stopped, her hands poised over the keys. Was this a dramatic pause, I wondered. But the seconds piled up, and it was soon evident that the young pianist had lost her place.

What a frightening, harrowing moment, for one so young, I could only imagine.

But she kept her composure, focused herself, and I could see her mentally rehearsing the music, "Where am I? and how shall I continue?"

And, then she did.

She finished the piece with confidence, but when it was done, she stood to face the audience, did a very quick bow, her face distressed, and hurried off stage.

No doubt humiliated.

Before those of importance: her instructor was there, as was the girl's mother and grandmother, themselves pianists, with the mother both MC and accompanist, at a concert sponsored by the Pasadena Opera Guild, offering young singers and musicians and opportunity to perform, in honor of Grandmothers and Mothers.

She'll live with the humiliation for a few days, maybe even a week or two, but in time, it'll fade, but not the memory. We tend to recall moments of humiliation - it's a terrible feeling, with disappointment in ourselves, perhaps having let others down, and just the feeling, the ugly feeling of shame.

But in the moment, she didn't quit, she didn't flee ... she held her place and regained the music. She proved her mettle after all.

I hope she continues to play the piano. With mother and grandmother encouraging her, and her instructor to bolster her skills, I suspect she will.

Failure - It's Just a Word

I'm adding to the earlier piece about failure, because I "failed" to make clear a critical point: namely, the word "failure" is just that, a word, just like chair or warm, without any clear content.

But we use the word specifically when we conceive of ourselves, our efforts, as failures.

Or when we label someone "a failure."

How do we know?

The point of our faith: only God knows the difference between good and evil, between failure and success.

Our task: render up to God the data of our lives, just as they are. Only God knows for sure, and in the end, God is at work in all things for good.

None of us are what we shall be in Christ. But until that time, we press on, as Paul did, to the upward calling, forgetting what lies behind.

You're a Roaring Success

When was the last time you failed?

Tough question.

What are the criteria? And who’s to say?

Remember, the original temptation was to eat of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, a tree that belonged exclusively to God!

Why? Because we’re not old enough, smart enough, or tall enough to know and see all the possibilities, all the pathways, all the intricate ways in which ideas and patterns are interwoven.

God’s love and kindness prevail, moving all of us along the pathway of Life. “I have come,” said Jesus, “that you might have life, and have it abundantly.”

Here’s the point: “Failure” is word that’s impossible to define and never accurate. So, why even use it?

The Snake in the Grass told Eve: “You’re a failure! Something is missing, so pluck the fruit.”

The next time you hear those whispered words, duck and run, and remind yourself that you’re just fine … you’re a work in progress, and your Heavenly Father is at work in all things for good!

When it comes to life, every day we’re here, every day we laugh and love, every day we make it, every day we smile at someone and wish them well, every day we can muster a compassionate thought and utter a small prayer, we’re a roaring success!

“Thought for the Day” – Pastor Tom, January 22, 2008

Roaring Success!

“I’m a failure!” I’ve heard it ten thousand times, and I’ve said it myself!

How easily we translate the experience of failure into a sweeping assessment of our character – “I’m a failure!”

YOU are not a failure.

You go back to the drawing board. You retreat and try another pathway. You learn and grow.

Anyone alive at 30 is already a roaring success, having weathered hundreds of storms, come through conflicts and difficulties, and overcome obstacles.

We get up in the morning, and we have all that’s needed to succeed. We have Christ in our hearts, Scripture beside us, the love of others and the hope of heaven.

At the end of the day, we come home and wipe our brow: “I made it. That means I’m a success. What I did well today, hip, hip, hooray, and thanks be to God. What needs redoing, I’ll try again tomorrow. There’s always a way through, around, above or beneath, and God is at work in all things for good.”

Whatever comes your way, you face it.
Whatever needs to be done, you do it.
However long it takes, you finish it.

You’re a roaring success!