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Dripping Springs Weekly Bulletins
I've Failed My Way to Success
Those are the words of Thomas Edison, spoken when asked of his successes. Mistake after mistake had characterized many of his significant discoveries. But we do not think of his mistakes when we turn on the light or watch a movie or – for us ‘old folks’ – listen to old records on the phonograph.
Over one thousand inventions have the name of Edison as the inventor. Many of them succeeded only after one mistake or another. That’s the way progress is made and how new things come about.
It may shock you to know that a mistake is the source of some of today’s household utilities. How often do you use a “sticky note”? Or drink a “coke”? Or crave a crisp chocolate chip cookie? All are the result of a miscalculation or just “dumb luck.” Look ‘em up.
In the book Mistakes that Worked, by Charlotte Jones, we read of some events with which we are familiar that came about as the result of a mistake. Some of us can remember that explorers made some big mistakes in ancient days. I was taught that Columbus was hoping to reach Asia, not America. But from what I hear, that turned out all right. If only my mistakes would turn out so well.
In 1968, a research manager for the 3M company was trying to improve on one of their brands of adhesive tape. What he got was a “semi-sticky-adhesive”, but not what you want in adhesive tape.
It appeared that he had wasted a lot of the company’s money, but some time later the “post-it-note” became one of 3M’s most successful products.
Pharmacist John Pemberton was cooking up a medicinal syrup in a large brass kettle over an open fire in 1866. He thought he was making a medical marvel, but instead he had created the formula that eventually became Coca Cola. The story says he spent more money promoting his “medicine” than he ever made from it. You and I should be so fortunate with our mistakes.
Charlotte Jones lists other “mistakes” that eventuated in something good. Like “Silly-Putty,” “Scotchgard,” rubber, the cardiac pace-maker and Penicillin. I guess a mistake can sometimes turn out to be a “good” mistake.
Few of us are eager to make mistakes, but all of us make them nearly every day. Some of them cause problems, others are benign. Some result in sin. Others are just that, a “mistake.”
Few things are as frustrating as attempting to do something good, only to make a mistake and ruin the good you had accomplished. But many in the past have done the same. Saul of Tarsus just knew he had to stop the influence of Christ. It was, however, that very attempt that led to his conversion, Acts 9.
Mistakes of Bible Characters
Simon Peter would not allow himself to extend fellowship to gentile Christians, and that resulted in his hypocrisy and Paul’s rebuke, described in Galatians, chapter 2. It also made him re-think his place in the Kingdom of God, and as the years passed, Peter became an effective, powerful leader of men.
John Mark, nephew of Barnabas, left Paul and Barnabas during the first “missionary journey,” Acts 13:13, 15:39. We do not know his reason for leaving, but a “sharp” disagreement between Paul and Barnabas resulted. Someone made a mistake, but years later John Mark had matured and Paul spoke of him as being “profitable” in Paul’s ministry, 2 Timothy 4:11.
“Mistake” would not likely be what we would call David’s affair with Bathsheba and his death decree for her husband, Uriah the Hittite,
2 Samuel 11. It was more than that, but the way David met the rebuke of Nathan and faced his sin makes us respect his character. It was sin, but David repented of that sin. If you read Psalm 51 you can learn how extensive was his remorse.
What About Your Mistakes?
You heard about the fellow who told a friend that he had made his first mistake in months. What was his mistake? He just thought he was wrong about something.
Well, that may be “cute”, but all of us make mistakes, and the Bible says “..all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:23. The question worth asking at this point is this: Are you willing to face your mistakes like Peter did?
Can you admit your sin like David did? Will you change your ways and become “profitable” in the Kingdom as John Mark did? That’s what defines a person’s true character.
We will continue to make mistakes, and some will have more severe consequences than others. But, as James Joyce wrote, “Mistakes are the portals for discovery.” Don’t beat yourself up for making a mistake. Correct it as best as you can, then try not to make it again.
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“An error doesn’t become a mistake until you refuse to correct it.”
“To err is human, but when the eraser wears out ahead of the pencil, you’re overdoing it.”
“What should happen when you make a mistake is this: you take your lumps, you learn your lessons, and then you move on.”
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Children Are. . .
Children are an heritage of the Lord (Psalm 127:3). So says the Holy Spirit through Solomon in the Psalms. The word translated “heritage” there conjures ideas of heirlooms, estates and inheritances. Such further implies what is of great value. Simply put, children are valuable. They are not cattle or cast-offs, nor should they be neglected, ignored or even indulged. Our children are not only possessed of our DNA, but they are made after God’s likeness (Genesis 1:27). If nothing else proved their worth, this does! Solomon suggests that children are God’s jewels and valuables. If only society held such a high view of children, their spiritual health would be much improved.
Children are known by their actions (Proverbs 20:11). This is a sobering realization. Sometimes children act contrary to training, but not usually. Parents often apologize for the very actions they have conditioned, permitted and encouraged their children to perform. Someone noted how a group of Amish children never raised their voices and wondered aloud why this was. The reply was, “Have you ever heard Amish adults raise their voices?” Ouch! There are parents who should be embarrassed, even alarmed by their children’s actions, but they seem unable or unwilling to do anything about them. Parents have more sway than they often think. Children are not responsible for their own training.
Children are speaking (cf. Matt. 21:15-16). This is a beautiful, divine testimony still borne out today. On the occasion of scripture, children were speaking words of praise and worship to Jesus in recognition of His deity. Yet, the adults were offended and aggravated at it. The children are yet speaking. Unfettered and untainted, they are acknowledging good and right. It is only when modern day counterparts of those scribes and chief priests twist their thinking through humanism, atheism, liberalism and materialism that children begin to change what they are speaking. So many young people in the church are speaking, in word and deed, of their faith in Christ, their willingness to serve and sacrifice for Him, and their conviction of Him with their friends. Are they doing this in imitation of our example or in spite of it?
Children are not temples erected to satisfy the vanity of their parents. They are not pawns to be used in marital disputes. They are not fixtures to accessorize the adults “picture” of the American dream. They are not to be seen as barriers to adults’ selfish wants. Are they difficult? Often! Are they high-maintenance? Oh, yes! Are they demanding? To a great degree. Are they worth it? ETERNALLY.
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