....experience

"Sir, What is the secret of your success?" a reporter asked a bank president.

"Two words."

"And, sir, what are they?"

"Right decisions."

"And how do you make right decisions?"

"One word."

"And, sir, what is that?"

"Experience."

"And how do you get experience?"

"Two words."

"And, sir, what are they?"

"Wrong decisions."

There's a measure of truth in that. Though we can (and should) learn from the mistakes of others, experience truly does seem to be "the best teacher." The experience of making wrong decisions in the past should help us to learn so that we make better decisions in the future. But are we willing to learn?

"And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man...." (I Timothy 1:12-13)

Paul is a great example of someone who learned from his past mistakes and, as a result of that experience, made better decisions in his effort to serve God.

Father, once again I come asking forgiveness for the many times I've let you down. As I confess to you my transgressions, I pray that you will help me to learn from my mistakes -- to recognize the consequences of following my stubborn will, to realize the heartache you feel when I turn a deaf ear to you, to learn from my error the need to follow your word more closely. I have made wrong decisions, but I pray that the experience of doing so will help me to develop the wisdom necessary to make better decisions in the future, as I strive to draw closer to you. In Jesus' name, amen.