On Failure and Beauty
by Thomas B. Grosh IV, D.Min., CMDA Northeast Regional Director
The crops of Lancaster County cause me to reflect on the journey through year…
“One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple” (Psalm 27:4, ESV).
Introduction
On failure and beauty, Justin Whitney Earley’s epilogue to The Common Rule: Creating Habits of Purpose for an Age of Distraction provides timely insights for beginning a new season.
“Life is not about our failures or successes. It is not about what we have done—it is about what God has done.”
Questions
What did the Lord “do” in and through you over the course of the past 12 months?
What habits (individually and as part of the people of God) keep your gaze upon the beauty of the Lord?
What new daily and/or weekly habits do you desire to weave into your life to sharpen your focus upon the Lord over the course of the next several months? Note: Suggestions from this series include:
What temptations and/or sins distract you from living for (or dwelling with) the Lord?
How has the Lord called you back to him or closer to him through failure over the course of the past 12 months?
Reflection
Please join me in taking a few minutes first to thank the Lord for His work over the past 12 months and then to offer next 12 months to the Lord. Remind yourself that you are entrusting the next 12 months to the Lord not only in word, but also with head, heart, hands and habits. If you have not already done such, I encourage you to find an individual and/or a small group to hold you accountable in seeking after the ways of the Lord in an age of distraction. If there is sin separating you from the Lord and/or members of the body of Christ as you take next steps, confess the sin and engage in reconciliation. If you find reconciliation difficult, seek counsel from a trusted ministry leader.
Prayer
Lord,
Forgive us for how easily we turn away from your beauty to “me.” Transform our lives over the coming months that we may grow more and more in the likeness of the self-sacrificing Christ child. Equip us with your armor — the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shoes of readiness given by the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. We acknowledge that it is by your strength alone that we stand against the schemes of the devil, extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one, and grow in Christ-likeness in an age of distraction. Toward that end, keep us alert with all perseverance, remind us to regularly pray for and encourage one-another, focus us upon you as we share the gospel in word and deed, and continually draw us closer to you. Infuse in us a longing to gaze upon your beauty, not losing sight that our lives are all about you.
Amen
