Pastor's Post
I
received this story in an email this week from Michael Duduit who is the
Executive Editor of Preaching magazine and the Dean of Clamp Divinity School
& College of Christian Studies at Anderson University. The story reads as
follows:
Edward Steichen, who eventually became one of the world’s most renowned
photographers, almost gave up on the day he shot his first pictures. At 16,
young Steichen bought a camera and took 50 photos. Only one turned out -- a
portrait of his sister at the piano. Edward’s father thought that was a poor
showing. But his mother insisted that the photograph of his sister was so
beautiful that it more than compensated for 49 failures. Her encouragement
convinced the youngster to stick with his new hobby. He stayed with it for the
rest of his life, but it had been a close call. What tipped the scales? The
vision to spot excellence in the midst of a lot of failure. (Bits & Pieces,
February 4, 1993)
You may
have tried to share your faith and failed.
You may have invited a friend to church and they said no. You may be butting your head against the same
proverbial wall over and over again.
Understand that your failures are only getting you closer to your
successes. What you think is failure,
God may see as beautiful!
Philippians 4:13 New Living Translation (NLT)
13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
Pastor
James Strickland