Our Greatest Glory

“Our Greatest Glory”
by Don Emmitte

But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. (2 Corinthians 4:7-9 ESV).

He felt like a failure! Everything he attempted seemed to turn out wrong. He began to fantasize about being rich. He would do the one thing he could do to make the most money in the briefest period of time. He would take up the occupation of bank robbing.
The would-be bank robber began to plan his strategy. He sat up late at night working on detailed plans, drawing sketches and going over steps he would take in robbing the bank. But he could never seem to get around to robbing the bank. He would plan each night, but when morning came, his anxiety paralyzed him, again. One night he determined that his mind was made up. Regardless of his feelings he would force himself to rob the bank the next morning. The next morning an anxiety attack paralyzed him again. Finally he came through it and forced himself to get into his car and go to the bank. The reluctant bank robber sat in the car in the parking lot from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. trying to force himself out of the car. Finally, he got out of the car and went into the bank. At the teller’s window he handed the teller his pistol. He stuck his brown paper bag in her face and said, “Don’t stick with me. This is a mess-up.” 1

Oliver Goldsmith said, “Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising each time we fall.” I’m certainly not advocating that the would-be bank robber keep on trying to become a success at that job! However, I do believe that the Apostle Paul encourages us to keep on trying in our lives even in the face of seeming failure.

There are countless stories of those who simply would not quit until they reached their goals. And, there are countless stories of those who quit just a moment too soon! Perhaps you are in the midst of a difficult time today. First, determine God’s will in your life through prayer and counsel from godly friends. Once you know God’s plan, don’t give up. Success may be just around the corner! It may mean just a little bit more effort, time, or investment and success will be yours. Even when the failure may seem final, don’t quit. Thomas Edison’s manufacturing facilities in West Orange, N. J., were heavily damaged by fire one night in December 1914. Edison lost almost $1 million worth of equipment and the record of much of his work. The next morning, walking about the charred embers of his hopes and dreams, the 67-year-old inventor said: “There is value in disaster. All our mistakes are burned up. Now we can start anew.” 2 Do you need to start again? You can!

1. Darrell W. Robinson, People Sharing Jesus, (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1995), p. xx
2. Alan Loy McGinnis, The Power of Optimism.