Faith Takes the Risk of Moving Forward
Ecclesiastes 11 reminds us that worthwhile action often requires moving ahead without knowing exactly how things will turn out. Through examples of persistence and risk, this article encourages believers to act wisely, faithfully, and courageously rather than waiting for perfect conditions.
- Failure does not make an effort worthless; persistence can move us closer to success.
- Ecclesiastes 11 warns against waiting for perfect circumstances before taking action.
- Wisdom includes preparation and prayer, but eventually faith requires us to step out and act.
Persistence Through Failure
By David Faust
The explorer Zebulon Pike’s name has long been attached to a 14,000-foot-high mountain in Colorado. Pike originally named the mountain Grand Peak, but mapmakers labeled it Pikes Peak. Strangely enough, Pike himself never climbed to the top of the mountain that bears his name. His only attempt took place in November 1806. Underestimating the cold and snow, Pike was forced to turn back by a blizzard, and he later predicted no one would ever reach the summit. In the warm weather of July 1820, however, botanist and geologist Dr. Edwin James and two other men successfully climbed to the top. It’s odd that Pikes Peak is named for a man who failed to reach the summit, but Pike at least deserves credit for making the attempt.
Thomas Edison is known for his many inventions including the phonograph, the motion picture camera, and the first commercially practical electric lightbulb. But Edison conducted countless experiments that failed as well. He observed, “If I find 10,000 ways something won’t work, I haven’t failed. I am not discouraged, because every wrong attempt discarded is often a step forward.” Edison’s greatness lay not only in his creativity, but in his persistence. “Genius,” he said, “is one percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration.” He pointed out, “Many of life’s failures are experienced by people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.”
Take the Risk
Ecclesiastes chapter 11 contains helpful insights for anyone who wants to live by faith. Have you heard the expression, “Cast your bread upon the waters”? It comes from Ecclesiastes 11:1, which the New International Version translates, “Ship your grain across the sea; after many days you may receive a return.” Ancient merchants would send out ships loaded with goods, not knowing when the ships would return to port, but confident they would return with treasures from other lands. Eventually God blesses those who act in faith.
It’s better to step out and try—even at the risk of failure—than to remain fearful and inactive. “Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap” (v. 4). A pessimistic farmer can always find a reason not to work. In the spring he worries, “It’s too windy to plant today, and the wind might blow some of my seed away.” In autumn he shakes his head and says, “There are clouds in the sky, and it might rain, so I won’t try to harvest the grain.” With such a negative point of view, he won’t succeed in the farming business.
Act Without Waiting for Perfect Conditions
If you wait for all the conditions to be right, every critic to be silent, every question to be answered, and every issue to be resolved, you will never accomplish anything. Of course it’s wise to do your homework, pray for wisdom, and investigate potential consequences. But eventually you must step out and take action.
“Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let your hands not be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well” (v. 6).
Don’t just stand there . . . do something! Start climbing the mountain. Even if you don’t make it to the top, who knows? Maybe someone will name the mountain after you just because you tried.
This is the ninth in a series of articles based on the book of Ecclesiastes.
Author: David Faust
David Faust serves as contributing editor of Christian Standard and senior associate minister with East 91st Street Christian Church in Indianapolis, Indiana. He is the author of Not Too Old: Turning Your Later Years into Greater Years.
