“Greatest of all time.” This is an on-going debate in the world of sports. Who is the G.O.A.T.? What is often unaddressed in this debate is the fact that success is most often accompanied by failure. Sometimes the failures outnumber the successes. Michael Jordan is considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time with six NBA titles, six final MVPs, five regular season MVPs, and ten NBA scoring titles. We lose sight of the fact that he missed more than 9,000 shots, lost more than 300 games, and missed far more game-winners than he made. He had more failures than successes.

As followers of Jesus Christ, we will also experience our share of failures and successes. Failure, however, doesn’t need to define us. We may blow it from time to time. When that happens, it is critical that we keep moving forward, knowing two important facts: God is a God of the second chance. He will neither forsake us nor stop loving us. He’s pulling for us.

We will experience our share of failures and successes. Failure, however, doesn’t need to define us…God can use those failures for good in our lives and for good in the lives of others.”

Secondly, God can use those failures for good in our lives and for good in the lives of others. As demonstrated in the relationship between Eli and Samuel, through failure we can learn important lessons. Those are lessons we can pass on to others.