With God There Is No Chance For Failure

Today’s reading: Matthew 14:13-33

A piece of common counsel comes to mind as I ponder today’s reading: “Don’t set yourself up for failure.”

The world is fortunate that Jesus was never persuaded away from his miracles by that sort of advice. I laugh at the thought — but, really, it is frightening — of some “life coach” or other type of counselor intervening in Jesus’ crazed decision to try to feed five thousand people with just 5 loaves of bread and two fish.

“Jesus, no! You will surely start a riot! This is an insane idea! It is impossible. Your credibility is at stake! You will certainly fail! I must insist that you not do this.”

Would that not have been “wise counsel” before all of Jesus’ miracles, in fact?

Yes, this thought worthy of a chuckle — but is indeed more frightening than funny. I wonder how many miracles have been aborted by mankind’s fearful wisdom.

I think of this section of this website, for example. Before I began these daily devotions (which often require two hours or more to compose) I consulted only God. Had I mentioned my plans to friends, I’m certain I would have heard something akin to the “your setting yourself up for failure” line.

“Why not just do it weekly or monthly? You don’t have to do it every day! That’s too much. You’ll burn yourself out for sure!”

Yet here I am, happily at work this morning,  posting to this section for the 42nd consecutive day. This practice is now a habit that I would be lost without. It helps me as much as it does the handful of readers. (And most of those people have told me it is, definitely, a blessing for them.)

Yes, I feel blessed that God encouraged me go for this “failure.” It will be the highlight of my day again tomorrow!

Thanks be to God for the myriad of latent miracles waiting to be unleashed by our faith. May I (and we) quickly find that glorious key.