We are not meant to fail!

Some of the happiest times in my life have been teaching. In my previous research days, a retired headmaster told me that he was most relaxed in front of a class and I remember wondering how this could possibly be true: now I know! Before school-teaching full time, I learnt the ropes by giving lectures and tutorials at Oxford University. My “official” training before my first lecture consisted of a mere 20 minute meeting with another member of staff, who observed my “lecture extract.” Thankfully, this went well, and I got the go-ahead, albeit after a nervous start when I couldn’t find the light switches in the dark, windowless theatre! This practice helped me to start my actual lecture with increased confidence, even giving the impression that I was already part of the furniture, being able to find the light switches in the dark!

I remember one of the professors there telling me that it was important to encourage the students and to tell them that we actually wanted them to pass their exams! I don’t know why we always think that those who examine are against us but it can be very reassuring to know that they are not out to get us!

This is absolutely true in Christianity as well: many people think that God is just waiting for us to mess up and even Christians can forget that he actually wants to forgive us when we stumble. Reminding ourselves of this does not only calm us but gives us tremendous encouragement. John 3:17 tells us that Jesus came into the world to save us and not to condemn us! This is not just one act of saving but is reflected through our entire lives: repeated forgiveness, continual encouragement and eternal love. We have trusted God with our lives and he cares for us. How uplifting for us to remember this today!

“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
John 3:17


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