Embracing life’s uncertainties and our shared human journey
2 MINUTE READ
From Luke’s Journal Sept 2025 | Vol. 30 No. 2 | Success-Failure
What is success
When the world is a mess
And the Invisible One
You trust
Allows Spirit to be
Ignored,
Avoided and shunned
Or imagined away?
What is success
When closeness to
Pain
Is where Spirit lives
In the in between
And uncertain,
The grave
Before Sunday?
What is success
If it feels confusing like
Mistakes and exposure
Just before
Crack of light hope
That enables ordinary
Snuggles with tears
Pointing towards repair?
What is success
If it is not stepping out
On top of the meek
And the lowly?
If it involves
Being near powerlessness
Uncertainty and fearful
Daily sorrow?
What is failure?
What is success?
These topsy turvy
Heart spaces that
Spirit Transforms
Bravely, Truly
Humanely
Unexpectedly
In Me and in You.
“Trust the down, and God will take care of the up. This leaves humanity in solidarity with the life cycle, and also with one another, with no need to create success stories for ourselves or to create failure stories for others” – Richard Rohr1
Dr Johanna Lynch
Dr Johanna Lynchis a general practitioner and psychotherapist whose doctoral research described the Sense of Safety Theoretical Framework, a strength-based, trauma-informed and whole person approach to wellbeing. She is clinical advisor to a national domestic violence team, teacher to practitioners and students, and mentor to multidisciplinary clinicians. She is passionate about generosity and discernment in how we see and care for each other.
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Reference
- Rohr R. Loving Surrender. Weekly Summary. Center for Action and Contemplation. April 19, 2025. https://cac.org/daily-meditations/loving-surrender-weekly-summary/.
