Theology Blog

A quote from Richard Rohr:

We grow spiritually much more by doing it wrong than by doing it right. That might just be the central message of how spiritual growth happens; yet nothing in us wants to believe it, and those who deem themselves “morally successful” are often the last to learn it….

This is a great quote that a friend and colleague posted today. It has certainly rang true in my own life. As I embrace a season of transition, I am reflecting on what has gone wrong so that I might grow and make it right. I also think of the story of the Prodigal son and his failure (as well as the older brothers failure) and the growth that came in that experience.

It is consistent with the message of discipleship from Jesus…if anyone would follow me they must deny themselves, take up their cross daily and follow me. It resonates with the words of Martin Luther; that ‘everything is hidden and revealed in the shadow of the cross.’

It also reminds me of one of my spiritual heroes who passed away recently, Brennan Manning. My favorite book of his (and my overall favorite book) is the Ragamuffin Gospel. We are all ragamuffins and we all fail. Its what we do with our failure that counts. God is out to redeem all things and its in the things that we do wrong that I believe some of the most meaningful redemption is found.