Even giants fail

As you travel on life’s journey, full of zeal and zest, focus and discipline, thrust forward by determination and passion, I’d like you always to remember that ahead lies many falls and failures.

Speaking to students at the University of Massachusetts, Robert Hale said something that made me think. “There’s a good chance I’m the biggest loser you’ve ever met.” And he was not far from the truth. This was a man who, before March 2020, was worth over 1.4 billion dollars, one of the richest men in the world at the time. But within a short period, he lost all and had to relieve his staff of their duties.

He could be considered a giant in the corporate world who failed in the quest to go public and become a billionaire. But failure, as he said, is a serious motivator. In less than six months, he picked up himself and founded another company, Granite Telecommunications, worth over 1.85 billion dollars today. And Robert Hale himself, according to Forbes, is worth 5 billion dollars.

As you ride along this life, attempting to move up the social ladder, always remember that there are bends along the way, several twists and turns on the path to greatness. On those bends, especially the sharp ones, the risk of the giant falling off is high. The risk of crashing to the floor and experiencing accidents is high.

That reminds me of the story of one of the great kings in the Old Testament. So great and mighty was he that only the mention of his name injected fear into the arteries of other kings. He was so successful in his war campaigns that it was impossible to imagine that he would fall for something he could have gotten so freely if he desired. David had access to many women on the land; in fact, some women might even be willing to enjoy rounds of fleeting moments of carnal pleasure with him.

But this great king fell… he fell so woefully that he killed the husband (Uriah) of the woman (Bathsheba) he desired to have, thus triggering the anger of the father-in-law of Uriah (Ahithophel). So, David, the giant, fell and failed his family.

Peter was one of the closest apostles of Our Saviour Jesus Christ. He was so close and high-ranking that at the earthly departure of Jesus, he was vested with the responsibility of coordinating the other apostles and the Church in general.

Peter was the one, in fact, the only one who had a direct revelation of who Jesus was and is. That revelation he had was not ordinary. The ability to peer into the heavenlies and capture the reality of who was before him was not physical. He was not the most educated among the apostles, as you had Luke, the physician and others like Matthew and Mark who were learned. But he was a spiritual giant with whom God decided to confide an eternal secret.

But you know what? This giant also fell and failed. Instead of standing for Jesus when he was taken for judgment, Peter denied the Master, leaving him alone before his accusers. And when Jesus died, Peter failed Jesus by returning to fishing instead of championing the gospel he received. But you know what? In both episodes, Jesus recovered him.

So, to you who have failed spiritually, professionally, academically and in other areas of life, what will you do?

If I were you, I will rise today. I will bounce back now. I will ask God to help me to get back on my feet and continue pursuing my purpose.

Even Giants fall sometimes. Many Giants fail many times. They are giants not because they didn’t fall but because they never stayed down when they fell.

Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me.

Micah 7:8.