The Blessings of Failure
It’s no secret I’m a KC Royals fan. Some of my earliest sports memories go back to the 1980 World Series between the Royals and Philadelphia Phillies. The entire decade of the 80’s was a high for a Royals fan – the peak being the 1985 World Series Champions. Royals fans are living an 80’s like revival in success and popularity, but this high comes after a horrible low.
If the 80’s were the high point, the 2000’s were the low point as a Royals fan. We were the butt of most jokes. There was a point when baseball considered contraction – removing Major League teams. The Royals was on the chopping block.
As a Royals fan in the 2000’s the worst time of the year was the end of another losing season. The best time of the year was April. The Spring is a hidden blessing of failure – the hope of a new beginning.
Mid-journey blessings
We all are on some sort of spiritual journey. You may not view it as such. You may not believe yourself spiritual. It doesn’t matter – you’re on a trek for truth – spiritual truth.
On your journey, you will find 4 major milestones:
- Egypt – Slavery | Oppression
- Jordan – Crossing Over | Point of No Return
- Gilgal – New Beginning | Rolling
- Jerusalem – High Place | Legacy
Not all of us will reach these milestones. Some may stay stuck in slavery and oppression. Others may never choose to cross over the Jordan. Some might stay in Gilgal, but never go explore higher places.
For those of you who do cross over (which I share more of here), there is a mid-journey blessing. Like the Royals, you are guaranteed a new beginning.
Rolling away
I’ve written about this before – the rolling away of our past. It’s critical for any new beginning. It’s why Spring is so hopeful for any baseball fan. The past season is rolled away. Failures are forgotten, and success is built upon.
If you’ve chosen to cross over and say goodbye to Egypt forever, then you are granted a new start. The past is rolled away. Your shame is forgotten. This is the road the Israelites traveled in ancient times. It’s a journey they modeled for us.
New is a springboard
18 months ago I crossed a major obstacle in my life. I left the old – completely and permanently – to begin something new. 18 months ago I began this website. I began writing exclusively here.
It was (figuratively) Spring…a new beginning. I rolled away the past – forgetting the failure to build on success.
I’m not done though. The beginning was a springboard for something more, greater, higher.
I’m moving on toward Jerusalem.
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