From the Chaplain (September 2008)

Dear Friends,

We try to avoid them. We dislike when they do occur. But mistakes are part of being human. They are a part living life. I am so glad that we have a God, who accepts us, mistakes and all. He not only accepts us, but redeems our brokenness.

Winston Church was once asked what had prepared him to lead Britain. He said ‘the time I had to repeat a year in elementary school.’ The journalist said, ‘so you failed a year in school.’ Churchill said, ‘I never failed anything in my life. I was given a second opportunity to get it right.’ Jonas Salks who invented the vaccine for polio tried 200 other that didn’t work. Speaking to him, someone said, “So you failed 200 times.” Salks responded, “No, I never failed. I learned 200 ways that did not work, to find the one that did.”

Aren’t those great perspectives on failures? They are opportunities to get it right, opportunities for God to show us a new way.

In our Sunday Sermon series, we have been looking at the life of Simon Peter. He was one who often put his foot in his mouth; he was impetuous, often jumping ahead of the other disciples. When Peter walked on water, he sank and was rescued. The result was that his eyes and the eyes of the disciples were opened so they could see more clearly the reality of Jesus and His power.

Mistakes are opportunities to grow and to see God’s redemption at work. Take a risk and trust God with your mistakes. Let Him bless you with a new understanding of Himself.

Blessings ahead,

Chaplain Sandy Anenson