In the past I was embarrassed to read about the sins and failings of the good people in the Bible. The list is long: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Samson, Saul, David, Paul, Peter, Mark, and others.

He struck out 1,330 times, a record in futility unapproached by any other player in the history of baseball. But that’s not what we remember about Babe Ruth. We remember his 714 home runs.

Cy Young, perhaps the greatest pitcher of all time accumulated 511 victories. But what is generally forgotten is that Young actually lost as many games as he won.

Now I am glad God wrote the Bible without first consulting me. It turned out much better the way He did it. Failure is a reality in any field.

“If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:8-9).