When Jesus taught us to pray by addressing God as Father, he revealed to us what God is really like. Reading the Bible, there is a clear message that God is our Father. “The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust.” (Psalm 103:13–14, NLT) It is encouraging to know that God knows we are going to make mistakes. He doesn’t give up on us. I don’t want to give up on myself, my team, my church family, and the community I belong to.

Before the day is up, one of the questions I will address in my journal is, “What mistakes did I make today?” Then if I able to answer the question, I will ask, “What did I learn from the mistake?” Never waste your mistakes learn from them. I want the lessons that will help me succeed as I move on with my vision.

We live in a broken world and if we are going to succeed at anything, we will make mistakes along the way. If we really pursue our dreams we are going to make a lot of mistakes. Never be afraid of the mess, just clean it up. Making a mess doesn’t mean you are rude, crude, or intrude. There is no excuse for being obnoxious. When you are trying to be productive, build a relationship, a dream, or a community stuff happens. “Without oxen a stable stays clean, but you need a strong ox for a large harvest.” (Proverbs 14:4, NLT)  In other words you need the strength of an ox for the planting, cultivating, and harvest. With the ox comes the mess. With the mess you must have a plan to clean it up. This quote from Derek Kidner’s excellent commentary on Proverbs makes the point.

“Orderliness can reach the point of sterility. This proverb is not a plea for slovenliness, physical or moral, but for the readiness to accept upheaval, and a mess to clear up as the price of growth.” Derek Kidner, Proverbs

You need stalls and barns for a harvest. You must possess the courage to try and make mistakes along the way. “The better a man is, the more mistakes he will make, for the more new things he will try. I would never promote into a top level job a man who was not making mistakes—otherwise he is sure to be mediocre.” Peter Drucker

When I make a mistake I ask myself, “where did I fail?” Was I tired, sick, or impatient? Next how do I go from here? Here is an out of the box illustration. As a pastor through the years I have hired a few people, not a lot, but over 100 employees. I have a responsibility toward each of them to help them become successful. (That’s for another post.) Occasionally, though, I have had to rectify a mistake that I have made in the process to help them reach their optimal potential. How do I help them use their skills, strengths, personality, and work habits to help us move towards our goal of “persuading people to become passionate followers of Christ.”

Secondly, I own it. Never blame anyone else. Own your failure. “For we are each responsible for our own conduct.” (Galatians 6:5, NLT) 

One of the greatest lessons about mistakes, I learned was from John Maxwell. He said about your mistakes, “Come up with 20 new approaches.” That will stretch your thinking and imagination.

Next, I walk when I golf. When I make a bad shot, I need to walk it off and imagine the next shot. It won’t help my game to beat myself up for the last shot. Play it where it lays and see success. Do you have a clear vision? Years ago, my coach said, “Pastor, see in your mind, envision where you want that ball to land and be sure that is the direction you are facing on your follow through. “Write the vision.  Make it clear …. ” (Habakkuk 2:2, GW) 

Follow through with your vision.

Peace!

Recommended Reading

1. Mistakes Leaders Make by Dave Kraft
2. The Top Ten Mistakes Leaders Make by Hans Finzel