On this holy day in our faith - Good Friday - I wish you warmest blessings.
Today I've got a devotion running on Proverbs 31 and Crosswalk. If you haven't read it, I invite you to do so.
The title is "Victory on the Other Side of Failure." I originally wrote it for a chapter on helping kids deal with failure in my book "When Your Child is Hurting." It is frustrating to me to see so many people living life far below their potential. And I realized that much of that attitude of defeat started when we were children.
Someone, somewhere, at some time, told us we couldn't do something. Or told us we would never amount to anything. Or said we were only a "C" student. Or told us to sit on the bench, keep our mouths shut, stay out of the way.
Maybe they never said anything, but we were passed over for opportunities ... repeatedly.
So we learn to accept mediocrity ... work below our potential ... never risk ... and accept "failure" as the end. As the end of a dream, the end of our hopes, the door slamming shut in our faces.
Only it isn't the end.
If nothing else in history teaches us that "failure" isn't always what it seems, the death of resurrection of Jesus Christ shouts that message loud and clear.
With God, there is always hope.
With God, there is always a new chance.
With God, you always have potential.
With God, victory is on the other side of failure!
We are never to old to learn this lesson and apply it to our lives. And the lives of our children.
Are you out of work today? Victory is on the other side.
Have you been betrayed? Victory is on the other side!
Are you sick? Victory is on the other side!
Are you lonely? Victory is on the other side!
Do you struggle with addiction? Victory is on the other side!
On that Friday, thousands of years ago, the disciples of Jesus saw defeat with their eyes. They saw their precious friend and Lord die on a cross.
It looked like failure. Only it wasn't.
Can you imagine those agonizing hours before Sunday morning? Maybe you can, because you feel like that too. You are experiencing your own loss and wondering if God can conquer your "death."
I believe with everything in me that Christ can conquer death. In whatever form it takes. We just need to look at life with new eyes. And trust God. Don't give up. Victory is coming.
"For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: 'Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?'" (1 Corinthians 15:53-55, NIV)
"For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith." (1 John 5:4, NAS)
He is Risen!
Glynnis
Friday, April 2, 2010
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5 comments:
Hi Glynnis,
I stopped by your blog after reading your P31 devotion today. I really enjoyed my visit here. You really minister to me! Have a beautiful Easter! So much to celebrate ... He is risen! Blessings, Cheri
Glynnis,
God used your devotion on the P31 site to encourage and touch me. I am on the healing journey through breast cancer treatment and lately I have met some unexpected hurdles...thank you for reminding me about the VICTORY!! Blessings, Kim
One thing bothered me about your devotional. You seem to imply the the ladies were at the tomb when an earthquake rumbled and losened the stone. They seems to be taking liberty with the Word. The earthquakes were on Friday. And we don't know how God chose to roll back the stone only that he did. Sorry but some may take that as the Gospel truth.
To the person who left the last comment. Thank you for sharing your passion for the truth of God's Word. I completely share your opinion. Please take a moment to read Matthew 28:1-4. I based my devotion on this part of the passage:
Matthew 28:1-4:
"After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men."
Well I think you are right!!! Sorry. I don't know why that hasn't soak in. Now I will go check the other gospels. Hmmmm-You certainly did not take liberty with the Word. It is there...
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