How refreshing to me are Bonhoeffer's words about success in the eyes of God. He says,
" God's cause is not always the successful one...that we really could be 'unsuccessful,' and yet be on the right road. But this is where we find out whether we have begun in faith or in a burst of enthusiasm."
It is extremely difficult for me to view this life as it is: momentary and fleeting. My mind can't quite grasp how our lives are so short in the spectrum of eternity. Just because I'm obeying the Lord, doesn't mean I will have success. The Lord will undoubtedly bless me, but not necessarily with my face on a magazine cover or an interview by Barbara Walters. Bonhoeffer had no idea he would be treasured as a prophet and martyr after his death. Most likely he believed his name would shrink into oblivion, because of his cheapened death at a concentration camp. He left, never getting to marry his fiance or have his own children. To me, this looks like a sad loss, but I know Bonhoeffer would disagree. He would say, "everything I count as loss, compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ," and the ability to sit at his feet in the splendor of eternity.
As I continue to fail, which I undoubtedly will continue to do, let me give thanks. These failures are merely a witness to my inability to act in any good way without the gift of grace. Surely I can embrace my biggest failures in life with loving arms, because I still win at the end of the day. Let me obey, though the road of obedience leads me outside the limelight of praise from men.
