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From Luke’s Journal Sept 2025 | Vol. 30 No. 2 | Success-Failure

Times of success and failure carve out the riverbed of our lives. Many popular phrases try to decipher their purpose and process. We are urged to “reach for the stars”, and encouraged that if we fail to reach them, we might still “land on the moon”. Practice is said to make perfect, and if we fail, we should “try, try again”.  Failure and success often go hand in hand, and the way we see them reflects upon the condition of our hearts.

Seen by all, by none, by God

We have a number of biographical books at home that explore the impact certain “good”people have had on the world.

• Mother Teresa and her care of the sick, poor and orphans.
• Gladys Aylward and her incredible work caring for the people of China.
• King David of the Bible, known as a “man after God’s own heart”.
• The disciple Peter of whom Jesus said, “on this rock I will build my church”.

When I speak with my children about these people, I want them to be inspired and encouraged to continue working out the plans God has for them. I also want them to be aware that not all God’s workers will have widespread fame, and that this kind of work is no less important.  

There are many people who do great work for God but may never have a book or movie created about them. We know a number of missionaries, pastors and people in everyday jobs who have touched and changed countless lives for Christ but may never become worldwide phenomena.

They are no less successful in the kingdom of God.

God sees them, and He has treasure in heaven for them.

Each of us has a unique calling on this earth. Some of us may face the challenges of the spotlight, and others may face the challenges of the mundane. Perhaps we will face both. Wherever we are, and whatever opportunities we are given, let us be sure to do what God has called us into. The real measure of success is seen not in the eyes of the world, but in the eyes of God. 

 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” (Colossians 3: 23-24 NIV).

Paradoxical success?

Mother Teresa, Gladys Aylward, King David and the disciple Peter had greatly known successes, but they also had great failures in their lives.

• Mother Teresa battled with spiritual doubts and feelings of emptiness.
• Gladys Aylward failed missionary school.
• King David was an adulterer and murderer.
• The disciple Peter denied knowing Jesus three times.

Success in a Christ-focussed life is built upon repentance. Time and time again, we fall and allow our sin nature to take hold, but we battle in the spirit to overcome. As we turn again and again to our Saviour, He lifts and carries us. Jesus is the only one to have succeeded in conquering death, and when we turn to Him, we share His victory.

The disciple Peter chose to lean into God despite his failures. Peter gave in to fear on a number of occasions, denying Jesus three times (Luke 22:54-62), and later earning himself a rebuke from Paul when he backtracked on eating with the Gentiles (Galatians 2:11-21). His fervent and bold proclamation of never leaving Jesus did not prevent the instances of his failure, but his heart of love for God did cause him to repent, grow in character and grow in faith. King David’s life also emulates this cycle of repentance and drawing near to God.

Failure, under its various guises is not a dead end. Whether in doubt, personal shortcomings, moral misgivings or fear, we can choose to remember our God who never fails. We can choose to lean closer into Him and as we do, we may catch the scent of God-given purpose. One breath of this, and we can take that next step forward in faith and trust.   

“The Lord makes firm the steps
of the one who delights in him;
though he may stumble, he will not fall,
for the Lord upholds him with his hand.”

(Psalm 37:23-24 NIV).

Reach

Do we still dare to reach for the stars?

Can we find our way through the rapids and still waters of life’s river?

Perhaps it is more a question of which star we are reaching for.

Will we reach out for the star of our own success, or for the bright Morning Star of Christ?

“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.” (Revelation 22:16 NIV).

Let His kingdom come.

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