Not Getting an ‘F’ in Life

If you’ve viewed many non-family movies of late, you’ve probably noticed Hollywood’s fascination with the so-called “F-word.” I’m not going to write about that, but recently it occurred to me that some other words starting with “f” are also problematic, although in different ways.

"F" is a letter that's
usually best to avoid - on an
exam, a report card, or in life.

In a devotional book I enjoy reading, Grace for the Moment, author Max Lucado makes this assertion: “My life is not futile. My failures are not fatal. My life is not final.”

Simple statements. But profound. At least for each of us that profess to be followers of Jesus.

Author and philosopher Henry David Thoreau referred to the seeming futility of life when he wrote, “Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them.” In a tune from the ‘60s, Peggy Lee sang the haunting refrain, “Is that all there is?” Sadly, many people today share that pessimism.

But the Bible asserts our lives aren’t futile – they have purpose and meaning. “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (Jeremiah 29:11). God has specific plans for each of us. Another passage affirms our special status with God: “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9).

Failure is another concern that plagues many of us. "What if I'm not good enough?" "What if I can't finish what I've started?" Fear of failure, experts tell us, can immobilize us, causing us to choose no action at all rather than attempting something and failing in the process.

The Scriptures present numerous examples of people who experienced crushing failures, yet were restored to usefulness by God: For instance, the Old Testament includes Abraham, Jacob, Moses and David. And in the New Testament we find Peter, who betrayed Christ three times yet became a pillar of the early Church, and the apostle Paul, who was transformed from being a persecutor and murderer of Christians into a bold, outspoken disciple of Jesus.

And the greatest assurance of all is that life is not final. Contrary to those who believe there is nothing beyond the grave, the Word of God promises that in many respects, death is just the beginning of real life. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). Jesus told His followers,  “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am” (John 14:3).

So as we place our trust in Christ one day at a time, we need not fear futility, failure or finality. He has overcome them all, and we’re promised, “in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Romans 8:37).

What Difference Makers Really Look Like

We live in a star-struck, celebrity-centric society. We love to hear about the comings and goings, fumblings and failings of the rich, famous and powerful. Whether top athletes, movie and TV stars, or public figures, we seem to hunger for news about what their lives are like. Who is Taylor Swift hanging out with these days? What craziness are Tom Cruise and Charlie Sheen up to? What about Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, or the latest famous-for-being-famous celeb?

Even the British royal family gets into the act. Apparently we all want to know what they’re wearing or, more recently, what they’re not wearing. (Hey, even the royals must understand the virtues of an even, all-around tan.)

Trophies tarnish, but personal
influence lasts forever.

But is being a bonafide member of the “Who’s Who” set all that important? Think about this: What are the most prestigious awards or honors a person could receive: A Nobel Prize? Academy Award? An Emmy or a Grammy? Win a Super Bowl?

List the last 10 winners of the Nobel Prize – in any category. Name the last 10 Academy Awards for best picture, best actor or actress. Who won the Emmy for best comedy in 2007? Or won the Grammy for best album in 1998? Who won the Super Bowl in 2003?

A meditation I read recently by Max Lucado brought this to mind. As he points out, after people receive acclaim for being the best in their respective fields, “the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten.”

If recognition and media attention are as important as we tend to think, why don’t we have these accomplishments etched in our memory banks?

Contrast these forgotten, fading stars with people we will never forget, Lucado suggests: Ten people who taught you something worthwhile. Or five friends who helped you during a difficult time.

You can identify these people right away, can’t you? Because they made a real impact on your life. They spent time with you, invested in you, cared for you. For you, they were difference makers.

That’s how Jesus transformed everyone around Him – He spent time with them and they observed His life. In the case of His closest disciples, it was three years, 24/7.

The apostle Paul understood the importance of personal engagement. “We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us” (1 Thessalonians 2:8). This was no hit-and-run, whack them over the head with the Bible event, but an ongoing process of genuine care, compassion and concern.

So worry if you like about how someone you’ll never meet is doing – Jennifer Aniston, Elton John, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. As for me, I’m more interested in people that know me and care for me. And I want to try being like them with others.