Here's a great TED Talk by Regina Dugan. She asks, 'What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?' Her talk draws on her experience at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) in the USA.It's worth posing the question again, in bigger letters.
What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?
Regina Dugan points out that fear of failure is what prevents people from trying what seems impossible. She is right. But as a follower of Jesus I should know that I cannot fail providing I'm obedient to him.
When I am afraid, am I afraid of appearing foolish, of pain, of death, of letting others down, or just of lack of faith? Or am I simply afraid of failure?
John writes, 'Perfect love drives out fear' (1 John 4:15-18). So we can do all things in Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13).
With life in Christ in mind, here are a few more quotes from the TED Talk. In some places I have replaced 'scientists and engineers' with [followers of Jesus].
Are you fearless? Are you a hero? Will you defy the impossible? Are you willing to be unafraid of failure? Are you as fearless as a little child? Do you believe in impossible things? Were you born to change the world? What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail? Will you help others believe?
- [Followers of Jesus] change the world.
- [Followers of Jesus] defy the impossible and refuse to fear failure.
- When you remove the fear of failure, impossible things suddenly become possible.
- The fear of failure constrains you, it keeps [you] from attempting great things.
- Testing [is] an appropriate part of achieving something great.
- To fly faster and further we have to believe in impossible things and refuse to fear failure.
- You can't learn to fly unless you fly.
- Failure is part of creating new and amazing things
These are the things Jesus did. These are the things the disciples did. Will you?
