Hey...have you guys ever heard of the story of Jason Everman. His story is sort of the 90's version of Pete Best times 2 (Pete Best being the drummer who was kicked out of The Beatles and replaced by Ringo Starr just before they really hit it big). Well, Jason Everman played in 2 of the most influential rock bands from the 90's alternative rock scene, Nirvana and Soundgarden. He is credited as having played guitar on Nirvana's first indy release, Bleach, even though according to Kurt Cobain he actually never played a note. He was given credit on the album because he fronted the band the $600 they needed to make the recording. A few months later, it seems Jason quit Nirvana to join Soundgarden who had recently lost their bass player, Hiro Yamamoto. Jason toured briefly with Soundgarden and was promptly booted from the band in favor of Ben Sheperd. Nirvana's next record, Nevermind, exploded onto the charts not long after Everman quit. Soundgarden's next record, Badmotorfinger, also was a huge hit in the alternative rock (yes I'm purposefully avoiding the word grunge) world and catapulted them into mainstream success. In both cases, Everman barely missed riding the wave to rock stardom and success. Although, I did find out recently that former Soundgarden guitarist Kim Thayil is now working at Cinnabon in a local Seattle mall. So go figure...
As I pondered this story, it dawned on me how blessed I am that God's plans for my life don't include near misses and failures. Sure, if I quit the race prematurely, I can keep myself from experiencing much of the blessings Jesus wants to pour out on my life. However, He promises that as we follow Him and follow the path He sets for our lives, we will experience abundant life.
Don't give up. Keep following Jesus. Psalm 37 puts it this way, "The steps of the godly are directed by the Lord. He delights in every detail of their lives." Even when we look at a situation and we think its a total failure, God will use even those setbacks to set us back on course.
"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11
