Through the Seasons

Success vs. Failure

“When choosing between success and failure, sometimes you have to choose failure in one thing to protect something else – such as your relationship with God or your family.” 

We had an interesting class today.  Right after lunch, a few students began voicing their frustrations about the load of the training which opened up an honest dialogue session with the staff.  The teachers gave ample time to hear out what the frustrated students had to say and then at the end a few people spoke encouraging words.  And, of course, we ended with prayer.

The frustrations were nothing new to me.  I’ve been feeling them since day one.  I agreed with most of what was said so didn’t join in the discussion.  I’m making really good grades but I am suffering for it – and honestly so are most of those around me.  I’m not like the Tazmanian devil or anything but my general demeanor right now is focused on the task-at-hand, interpretted by others as “cold”.  I’ve realized my priorities are out of whack and need correcting and spent much time in prayer this morning when I had my quiet time.  I asked God to teach me each moment today – and did He ever answer that prayer!  I had many teachable moments today, all of it coming together in that session this afternoon.

We were encouraged to get our priorities in order and our priorities are already set for us in the Bible.  God is first, my husband second, my family next, my friends next, others around me next……gosh, where do tasks come in here anyway?    I admitted in that session that although I am making good grades, I am failing with God, with my husband, and with those around me, simply because they aren’t coming before my self-imposed need to pass this course.

So, what will come of our time of venting today?  I’m pretty sure nothing within the training structure or schedule will change but I bet a lot of hearts were changed today and a lot of lessons taught by God.  I learned more today in class than I have up until now.

The quotes from classmates that stood out today were these:

“What will be remembered the most when you’re a missionary on the field is NOT what you accomplished on the field but how you behaved and related to others.”  That really struck home for me.  I can see how God is preparing me each day for the time that He’s ready for me to be ministering to His beloved people.  Do I enjoy all the lessons?  No.  But I rejoice in who I am on the other side of them – more like Christ.

“If you succeed at something and do it in an unChristlike way, you have failed.”

Simple as that.