Get Back in the Game!

So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?’ He said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.’ He said to him, ‘Tend My lambs.’ He said to him again a second time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love Me?’ He said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.’ He said to him, ‘Shepherd My sheep.’ He said to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love Me?’ Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, ‘Do you love Me?’ And he said to Him, ‘Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Tend My sheep.’” John 21:15-17

After the last game of the World Series, one of the losing team’s players was asked to talk about his feelings of disappointment. A smile filled his face as he replied: “There’s only one hundred-sixty days until we can begin this all over. We have learned a great deal and next time we will win.” In principle that is the way God wants us to view our failures. He knows that failure has the potential to either motivate us to try again or devastate us to the point of defeat.

Peter’s heart was broken by the magnitude of his failure. Nonetheless, the Lord had already prepared the way for His restoration. After His resurrection and before His ascension, Jesus pulled Peter aside. Had He not taken the time to restore Peter, the disciple would have faded into obscurity. His heart was shattered. He had failed the Lord, the Messiah, his best Friend.

It was in failure that Peter learned of his weaknesses. Whereas, it was in restoration that he learned of Christ’s love and forgiveness. What is God’s encouraging message to you in times of failure? Get up and brush yourself off. If there is sin involved, confess it. Get back in the game. His restoration is yours today.

“...I have loved you with an everlasting love...” Jeremiah 31:3