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I recently heard someone say "Legends are not defined by their successes but how they bounce back from their failures." As a coach, I can't go through a week of practice without players arguing over who is the "Greatest of all time" (GOAT). It could be the GOAT of quarterbacks, coaches, singers, memes, etc. Their obsession with greatness is fairly remarkable!
However, I find myself taking stock in the achievements of others. I look up to and admire men and women who have achieved and gone beyond the parameters of most people. I am also reminded of how most of them have hit rock bottom at some point on their path to success and have experienced significant failures.
Elon Musk resonates with many young people today as did Steve Jobs for my generation and Henry Ford for previous generations. What is interesting about each of these men is their path to "Legendary" status was paved with failures. Musk risked tens of millions and bankruptcy while watching as folks ridiculed his pursuit of going to Mars. Naysayers lampooned him for rockets which were exploding almost as soon as they took off and electric cars which cost hundreds of thousands and could not go 100 miles on a single charge.
I too have experienced significant failures in business, relationships, sports, etc. You will too if you are trying to become legendary in your own right. God calls us each to be the GOAT. He has placed in each of us all that we need for success so long as we define that in his terms and not our own.
For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe. Deuteronomy 10:17
Jesus is the only true GOAT. He is the standard by which we will all one day be measured. His standard does not play favorites, it is not partial and it can not be changed as it takes no bribes. It is the standard to which "Legendary" status can be achieved. As followers of Christ, we realize he was the only person to walk the earth and keep God's standard. He was taunted, tempted, tried and persevered through it all. He consistently met failures as those around him succumbed to the devil. However, he taught us how to get back up and move forward.
Jesus paid the ultimate price for our sins. He laid down his life for us as the perfect sacrifice. He looked at all our failures and then willingly was crucified so that we can one day stand before God sinless. Each of us is the GOAT of our own journeys on earth.
How will you be defined? When the enemy attacks you and prevails, will this be your defining moment? Or, will you opt to pick yourself up and put on the full armor of God to fight the good fight of faith?
