2 Cor. 2:1-11
Michael Jordan is considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time. His leaping ability, demonstrated by performing slam dunks from the free throw line in slam dunk contests, earned him the nicknames \”Air Jordan\” and \”His Airness\”. He also gained a reputation for being one of the best defensive players in basketball. He is described as ‘single-handedly redefining the NBA superstar’ and yet to get there he openly admits to failing more than most.
Jordan did a basketball commercial where he walks in the arena and the people are chanting, “Michael! Michael!” He says, “I’ve missed 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times I’ve been trusted to take the game-winning shot and I have missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life.” Jordan goes on to say the reason he has succeeded boils down to his constant failure and using failure as motivation to shoot for success. In other words Jordan viewed failures as stepping stones towards success.
Determined Christians fall forward. In our human frailty we do our best, repent when we fail, and in committed love for our Lord press toward the goal. Paul expressed it this way, “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.” 2 Cor. 4:8-9
Dr. Gayle Woods