"Failure is not an option...it's essential." Craig Groeschel

I changed schools in January of 2000. I gave up on my call to the ministry with the reasoning that I could minister in any walk of life. I left HPU for Angelo State because HPU had very little going on in theatre.


It's true that we are all called to minister, no matter where we are in life. But there is a distinct difference for those called into full-time ministry that I refused to recognize at 20. In that season of life I wanted to be an actor and ministry would have to come along side what I wanted or it wouldn't happen. Consequently, it didn't happen.

My mom came to see a play I was in at ASU and brought a John Maxwell book for me called "Failing Forward". It was not really a secret that mom didn't agree with my decision to change schools and majors. And this book seemed to be a jab. I felt Mom was saying, "you're going to fail so try to fail successfully." I was offended. I never even read the book. Somewhere along the way in life it disappeared and, to be honest, I probably got rid of it on purpose.

Well, as I shared yesterday I'm reading through a book called "IT". Today I read something that will stick with me for a long time. The idea that failure is not an option is 100% right. If you want to succeed you have to try things...undoubtedly you will fail. There is no option if you try you will fail.

In sports there's an adage I hate. "If you ain't cheating, you ain't trying." However, it occurs to me that changing the word "cheating" to "failing" works. Face it, if you succeed at everything the first time you try it, buy a lotto ticket.

To put it in another context. I'm hanging out with my daughter today. She woke up with a fever so she couldn't go to school. In a few minutes, I'm making Grilled Cheese sandwiches for lunch. I make a good Grilled Cheese sandwich...you know why? Cause I've made some awful Grilled Cheese sandwiches. When I've messed it up I've taken note of what I did wrong and didn't do it again. Eventually, I eliminated several bad practices and make a good Grilled Cheese sandwich 90% of the time. (note: I still fail every now and then)

So, sorry mom. (she won't be reading this so I might go ahead and voice that as well) The book might have taught me something I come to realize almost 10 years later...Failure is not an option, it's essential.

Thanks mom and Craig Groeschel.