I'm not exactly sure why Christians get this idea that if you follow Christ everything will always go smoothly in your life. And even more so if you are a tech director in a church, then things must always be perfect in your life, right? I think we must get this idea from Romans 8:28.
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28 (NLT)
The idea seems to be that if you put God first you should never fail a test, never make a bad decision, and never experience a huge failure. Because “God won't give you more than you can handle,” right? Funny how most people don't check to see if that quote is even in the Bible. Hint: it isn't.
It is easy for those of us involved with a tech ministry to get the idea that if we are serving God then things should go easy for us. The reality soon hits you that everything doesn't go perfectly. In fact, things may even seem like they went easier for you when you weren't in ministry at all. But shouldn't Christians get an easy ride? Why don't you ask the Disciples or Paul that question? All of them, except John, lived their lives to God's glory and then were put to death for their faith. So does that mean that God doesn't work things out?
Gain perspective
Well, Scripture says that God will work things “together for the good” in your life when you love God and are living out His purpose in your life. But does “good” mean easy? Does it mean lack of failure? No.
I have personally had many failures in my life. A failed media company. A failed movie. A failed web design business. But guess what, God did in fact work those things for good in my life.
Just because you failed doesn't mean you screwed up and God is punishing you. It doesn't mean that God has forgotten about you or doesn't love you.
Where I was concerned with building a business, God was concerned with building character. Where I was wanting to be a success in the world, He was wanting me to learn humility. So, money was lost, feelings were hurt, and expectations were let down. However, God never failed. He worked it for the overall good in my life. And he is doing the same in yours.
The Christ-centered life is not a life free of pain and suffering. Instead, the Christ-centered life is one where pain and suffering have meaning. They have a purpose and cause growth. Just because you failed doesn't mean you screwed up and God is punishing you. It doesn't mean that God has forgotten about you or doesn't love you.
Maybe He wants to teach you something in a way that you will never forget. Perhaps He is trying to grow a character quality in your life that can only be forged in the fire of adversity. Consider that the failures in life are actually lessons directly from God used to perfect your life.
Brave the storm
Sure, I hate failure as much as the next guy. But in order to avoid failure you also have to avoid risk. And to avoid risk often means to avoid following the call of God on your life. It is a rare calling that requires absolutely no risk on your part.
So, what do you do when your good just isn't good enough? When failure haunts you? Keep moving forward. Trust that God has not lost control, but He is faithful to work all these things for His glory and your benefit. When you fall down, get back up. God isn't finished with you yet.
