Mistakes into Victories

     Mistakes.  Life is full of them.  Some we make because we are by nature sinners.  Mistakes come naturally to us.  Some we make in moments of rebellion.  We are going to do as we please, and no one can stop us.  Some we make out of a sincere effort to do something right, as we perceive what is "right" in the situation in which we find ourselves.  It just turns out to be wrong because we have relied on our own wisdom and perception instead of God's Word and godly counselors.  We just are very adept at making mistakes.  And even worse, our mistakes invariably affect the lives of others.  Just as people have made decisions--mistakes--that have altered our lives forever, we have done the same.
     But God wants us to turn those mistakes into victories, and He empowers us to do so.  It all begins with humbling ourselves before God and admitting our frailties.  It is, after all, the humble that God exalts; the proud that He resists.  Many have embraced God's forgiveness and found Him eager to use their broken-heartedness to touch the lives of others.  God doesn't have a permanent disability shelf for those who come to Him in humility, no matter how devastating the mistake.  Even if the church tries to put him out of commission, God will find a place of ministry for a willing servant.
     And even if it's the mistakes of others that have brought chaos into our lives, God will use you if you'll let Him.  Levi's curse was turned into the blessing of priesthood by the faithfulness of Moses and the tribe of Levi at the incident of the golden calf.  Hezekiah's pride sent Daniel into captivity in Babylon.  Daniel turned that mistake into one of the greatest ministries the world has ever known.  We need not let the mistakes of others, even other generations, keep us from service to God.  Mistakes will be made.  We will be the victims of other people's mistakes.  But mistakes are not the end of our service for God, unless we let them be.  Choose repentance not resignation.  Choose faithfulness not finger pointing.  Choose humility not pride.  God wants our mistakes to be the foundation for future victories.  His grace is sufficient for those who will come before His throne of mercy in time of need and embrace their weaknesses.  He is never reluctant to forgive.  He is the Faithful Lover of our souls.