Peter was a man who experienced a life of continual failure; a life that many of us are all too familiar with. Facing his most crucial of many defeats, he turned not toward self-loathing or dismissing his failures. But, rather, he jumped in and waded through his mistakes, sin, and shortcomings, towards the only One who had shown him how to rise above the water. Like Peter, we must pursue a life characterized not by our inability and failure, but by Jesus’ ability to rescue and restore.

Scripture References

Matthew 26:69-75
John 21:3-19
Galatians 2
Acts 2

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1. The question is not if we will fail, but rather how we will react to our failure. We each have propensity to dismiss, blame, or fall off the cliff into despair. But, all of these responses focus on ourselves and lack a sense of dependence on the message of Jesus. What sin have you dismissed as unimportant, blamed on others or circumstances, or allowed yourself to fall into despair over? In what ways are you turning to yourself rather than the Savior for restoration?
2. There is a tendency to hide in the shame of our failure. Instead of recognizing Jesus and His ability to restore, we hide believing in our own capacities to fix it. Peter dove into his shame and swam to Jesus. What sins do you need to bring to the surface and confess?
3. Though Peter failed Jesus, through his restoration, he was still a vital part of Jesus’ ministry. Peter was told to feed Jesus’ sheep, and like him, Jesus wants to pour His life into this world through us. But, our own despair, dismission, shame, and hiding cloud His light that shines through us. How is your reaction to failure inhibiting your ability to be used by God?

Thoughts to Consider

-When faced with the reality of our sin, we are called to confess and repent. Rather than keeping our own counsel, it is essential that we turn to mentors, pastors, or community with our failure. In doing so, we can enter into the process of restoration.
-Trying to pay for our sin is diminishing the act of Jesus dying on the cross. Moving from self pity means moving towards the One who has already paid for our sin.
-Our sins and failures can make us feel unusable by God. But, our lives are not characterized by our sins, but by His grace. It is through us that Jesus wants to pour Himself out into the world.
-We are called to a lifestyle of repentance. That means we will continually fail, confess, and turn from our sins time and time again. It is a process and a journey, not a destination.