Failure: Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night!

I recently ordered a practice test from the American Translation Association. The test is supposed to simulate the certification exam that you have to pass to become a certified translator with the organization. It was professional grade and I failed… miserably. I got one sentence in six right. But still my gracious tutor encourages me, “you have a gift; you are supposed to be learning Arabic.” It’s so funny how you can give it your best, fall flat on your face, yet still have so much hope. It reminds me of something my old technical coaches used to say when they taught us lot a new soccer “move”… “If you’re not falling down from trying to do it faster, you’re not trying hard enough.” I have taken that very seriously in my life at large. I want to run like a free horse with my mane whipping in the wind, not afraid of failure, and I feel that when I translate (no matter how poorly at this point in time).

So many of us are afraid of failure, but I’m here to tell you: it’s not that bad. It’s not the end, especially if you have tried your best. That’s my definition of success: giving it your all; leaving nothing on the field, as sports people say.

I was really bitter at God for the past year and a half for cancer, bipolar, and now PTSD. But somehow, in all these seeming roadblocks, I can see that I am much more “rooted and established” in the love of God than I ever would have been had these things not happened. I’m a natural dreamer, but I’m much more grounded in my dreams now. I count the cost of what I want to do: minister to Muslims and Arabs, wherever they may be. I know there’s a cost spiritually, emotionally, and, in extreme cases, perhaps physically.

And my experience at Virginia Tech ministering to Muslims is that there is a high failure rate. But, as I’ve grown, I see it as me “falling over” because I’m trying my best for the kingdom of God on this earth and trusting the rest with Him.

Failure is only final if you let it be, friends. When you fall over, get back up and think of it as honing your skills for the next time. I’m so proud of all of you and am cheering you on. Do not go gentle into that good night!!!