“Edward Steichen, who eventually became
one of the world's most renowned photographers, almost gave up on the day he
shot his first pictures. At 16, Steichen bought a camera and took 50 photos.
Only one turned out—a portrait of his sister at the piano. Edward's father
thought that was a poor showing, but his mother insisted the photograph of his
sister was so beautiful that it more than compensated for 49 failures. Her
encouragement convinced the youngster to stick with his new hobby. He stayed
with it for the rest of his life, but it had been a close call. What tipped the
scales? The vision to spot excellence in the midst of a lot of failure.”*
This story reminds me of God’s ability to
also spot excellence in the midst of a lot of failure. Judges chapter six begins with Israel in a
whole lot of trouble because of their sins.
God had withdrawn his protection from Israel and Midian began to
dominate them, forcing them into hiding and destroying their crops. In the midst of this dire situation, we are
introduced to Gideon. He is hiding in a
wine press and working hard to salvage the wheat his family had been able to
save from the Midianites. Imagine him
toiling away when the angel of the Lord appears to him and speaks these words:
“The Lord is with you, O valiant warrior.”
Every time I read this account, I imagine
Gideon looking around the wine press for someone else and then saying, “Who,
me?” He is certainly not feeling like a
“valiant warrior.” In a torrent of
words, he shares his sense of failure and abandonment (v. 13). But God looked beyond the obstacles to see
what Gideon could be with a little divine encouragement and help. And as time went on, Gideon did become the
valiant warrior that God knew he could be.
What failures are keeping you from becoming
what God sees in you?
God loves you!
Mike
*Bits & Pieces, Feb. 4, 1993
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