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He struck out 1330 times. But that isn’t what we remember about Babe Ruth. His 714 home runs completely obliterated the strike-outs. Pitcher Cy Young accumulated 511 victories, a mark that never has been threatened. But what is generally forgotten is that Young lost almost as many games as he won.

Many people let fear of failure keep them from doing great things for God. No doubt, you remember the man in the parable of the talents who was given one talent. Although he had the ability to do something with the talent that he was given, he let fear keep him from doing so. When examined by his lord, he confessed, “I was afraid” (Matthew 25:25). Although the Lord is known for His patience, He has no patience for those who do not try. Please note that his lord called the man “wicked,” lazy, and unprofitable (Matthew 25:26, Matthew 25:30). Please consider the contrast in the context between the one-talent man and the other two:

• They were called good (Matthew 25:21-23), he was called wicked (Matthew 25:26).
• They were faithful (Matthew 25:21-23), he was fearful (Matthew 25:25).
• They heard, “Well done” (Matthew 25:21-23), while he heard what he should have done (Matthew 25:27).
• They were invited to enter into the presence of the Lord (Matthew 25:21-23), while he was to be cast out (Matthew 25:30; cf. Revelation 21:8).
• They were to experience joy (Matthew 25:21-23), while he was to experience weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 25:30).
• They were to be rulers over many things (Matthew 25:21-23), while the one thing that had been committed to his care was to be taken from him (Matthew 25:28).