The Day I Lost an Election
“Someone asked me…how it felt and I was reminded of a story that a fellow townsman of ours used to tell about Abraham Lincoln. They asked him how he felt once after an unsuccessful election. He said he felt like a little boy who had stubbed his toe in the dark. He said that he was too old to cry, but it hurt too much to laugh.”
― Adlai E. Stevenson II, nominated twice for the U.S. Presidency and losing both times
One of the most embarrassing moments of my life was when I cried over losing an election.
Yes, I cried over losing an election!
I was reminded of that moment this week as I observed people literally crying over the outcome of this week’s national elections.
I remember my crying episode well.
The background was that I had once been elected to a denominational board. People informed me that that was an important event in my life and that it was a big deal.
I guess you could say I was a success.
Well, just like our national elections, there were term limits on my tenure so after four years I mustered out.
Run the clock up a couple years and I found myself in the hunt to be elected again in a special mid-term election to fill a spot on that same board.
I lost.
I’m embarrassed to say that it was devastating to me. I got the news on a weekday and, please don’t laugh, I went into the sanctuary of the church I was pastor of at that time and went into a back corner and…you guessed it…cried.
After a few moments it was like Father God said, “Look at you! Crying about losing an election to a board! Really?”
That’s when I came to my senses and realized I had lost my way.
The reason I was crying was not because I had lost an opportunity to serve and make a difference, the reason I was crying was because I lost. I lost faced. I lost a chance to put another feather in my cap and another notch on my belt.
After a moment my tears of sadness turned to tears of repentance.
I had become someone I didn’t like.
The lesson I learn that day has served me well.
Run the clock up a few years later and another opportunity – a bigger and more influential one – came my way. When asked if I would accept I asked if I could pray about it a moment and permission was given. I turned around and put my knees on the floor and made my desk chair an altar.
It didn’t take but a moment for me to admit to myself and to God that my motivation for desiring the position in question was not driven first and foremost by a desire to serve and help others. I was being tempted yet again to drink the “success cup”.
What I saw with that position was status, perks, and power. Hardly the proper motivations for a life well-lived.
I got up, returned the call, and as graciously as I could thanked the one on the other end of the line for the opportunity but respectfully declined.
I passed an important test that day. And I have no regrets.
I must admit that I have to go back from time to time and redraw the line on that important lesson, for “success” is addictive and subtle. And there’s always people telling you that you need more of it.
But I’ve learn something, true success is not about status or station or power. It is not about advancement and perks. True success is about serving, making the world a better place, honoring God and following his call and purpose for your life.
So how can you be a true success?
The ONE THING for today: Instead of pursuing success, pursue God and His calling on your life and do it faithfully with all your heart and let the results take care of themselves.
