The role of failure

As we celebrate Easter, I cannot help but think of one topic we all avoid: failure. We dread this word almost as much as we dread the word death.

I am thinking of this as I watch an individual try to navigate life without admitting to weakness. And it brings to mind that Easter is not just about events and celebrations, but also about failure and weakness, about human suffering and defeat. And how hard it is for us, for me, to admit or accept either.

Perhaps this is because I tend to think of failure as an end result. If I am a failure, then life is over. If I am weak, then I have nothing to brag about, and I am not worth anyone's attention.

Jesus took on both labels. He let himself feel the despair of suffering, failure, and weakness. He let himself be defeated. Why? Perhaps Jesus wanted us to remember, failure and weakness are not the end. I have the ability to rise again, and to go beyond those events.

Because I am not defined by one action. I am effort, determination, and faith. I am a mixture of failure and success, strength and weakness. I am a composite, complicated, and amazingly resilient person.

Perhaps this is the message we should take from the Easter mystery.