A Question Of Failure

So far this week, the discussion has revolved around stories. Monday’s post revolved around our church beginning a Bible study series from Zondervan Publishing, called The Story. Yesterday, we heard from a man named Max regarding his story in a piece entitled Your Life Is the Greatest Story Ever Told. In this, he discussed the premise from Donald Miller, “that some of us are not living the right story." This is a fair question to ponder upon for all of us. As was said yesterday, many more questions arise than answers.

In any story, situations in life shape us. Successes, failures, setbacks, unforeseen occurrences; that take the very life away from us. Today, failures in life are the topic. Simply put, we all experience failures of some type. What failures have you experienced? There are many that come to mind; failures in our jobs; personal failures; family failures; relational failures, all of which shape how we view ourselves.

I came across a blog post by Dan Rockwell, a.k.a. @Leadershipfreak, entitled, The Question that Changes You. In his post, he discusses failures as such. Dan puts it this way.

“Failure humbles you by demonstrating your lack of knowledge and ability. Failures, additionally, burst the bubble of perceived control. Failure breaks up old ways of thinking and doing. Failures are followed by nagging questions. What would you do differently? What have you learned? These are good questions but they aren’t life changing.”

He then goes on to say,

“I asked a leader I’m coaching how his recent experiences changed the way he viewed himself. The question that changes you is about “being” not “doing”. Engage in self-reflection by asking – how have my experiences changed the way I think about me.”

Wow! Lots to ponder today when you finish reading. So my question is this, “what about our being?” Where do we find and nurture that sense of "being" that Dan discusses? Can small groups be that nurturing place of “self-reflection” and safe open dialogue (regarding our failures) that connects others in the same place in life? More to come!