Spent for a Worthy Cause

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."

Theodore Roosevelt, words from a speech delivered on April 23rd, 1910

From the moment these words were spoken, they have been unsurpassed on this point:  it would be better to try and fail than do nothing.  A prime obstacle which stands in front of valiant attempt is fear.  Everything a Christian is called to do can only performed supernaturally though God's strength.  With God all things are possible.  Even so, we can be consumed with needless fear which prevents us from attempting the impossible.  Psalm 27:1-3 says, "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? [2] When the wicked came against me to eat up my flesh, my enemies and foes, they stumbled and fell. [3] Though an army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war should rise against me, in this I will be confident."

Perhaps we fear because we have not allowed God to become our strength.  Fear of failure, man, or wickedness need not strike fear in our hearts once they have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit's power.  When my sons were young, their fears were swallowed up in love and trust of dad and mom.  Now that they are growing older, it is amazing to me the things that have power to frighten them!  Their eyes have been opened to potential dangers their once innocent minds could not have imagined.  The more a man knows, the more he realizes can go wrong.  The danger is no more real than before, except knowledge has the power to excite a man to fear all kinds of foes.  A child is not concerned about contracting flesh-eating bacteria or paramecium from swimming in a lake - but adults can be!  A boy's thoughts are only about retrieving his ball so play can continue, while his mom imagines him mangled under a truck's tires.

It is simple to aspire to greatness.  It is easier to be a critic than to work at mastery of a talent.  To my knowledge Robert Ebert has never directed or acted in an Oscar-nominated film and Simon Cowell has never sung a hit single.  Though everyone is a critic, in America we pay well those who have mastered the craft of being their critical selves.  Criticism when constructive is highly valuable, for without it we would likely never progress nor see our need.  But if fear of criticism itself keeps us from obedience to the will of God, our priorities have been distorted.  The benefits of an honest critic far outweigh any negatives.  Resistance builds our character and makes us better.  We learn more through difficult repeated failures than success at the first go.  If we never tasted defeat we would never relish the victory.

Are you willing to spend yourself in the highest cause:  the glory of God through your life?  This may not look like a great achievement in the eyes of the world, but the world will not endure for eternity nor the memory of it.  Isaiah 65:17-18 says, "For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former shall not be remembered or come to mind. [18] But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem as a rejoicing, and her people a joy."  With all the effort we put into having fun and happiness on earth today, what a life it will be in heaven to experience the gift of eternal joy in the presence of God.  Accomplishment on earth is likely measured by our peers, and to some of our critics our best efforts may amount to nothing.  Only God knows and judges the heart.  The man who truly accomplishes something or amounts to anything only does so by God's grace and according to His standard of righteousness.  It is Jesus who has accomplished everything, and it is our choice if we will trust Him enough to obey Him.  It is for us to choose to take the next step in His strength.  It is God who makes our way prosperous:  it is He who gives us success (Josh. 1:8).  The face marred by dust and sweat and blood that glows with the glorious countenance of joy in Jesus will never know regret for effort.