Beyond Failure

The devotional today is about personal failure. If you have never failed, then this writing is not for you. But, of course, failure is a part of life—everyone’s life—including yours! That we all fail does not make it any easier. Nor does it mean we are okay with it. None of us wants to fail…but we all do. Moreover, we are in good company when we do…

On the threshold of our 250th Anniversary as a nation, you would be interested to know that our first president, and the general who led our troops in the Colonial War, George Washington, earlier surrendered at Fort Necessity during the French and Indian War, pretty much ending his military career…or so it was thought.

This reminds us that failure is not the measure of the person. Even further, failure need not be final! When you fail, what then? This is where Peter comes in…

You will recall that Simon Peter bragged in the Upper Room that he would never fail the Lord. Then they left the Upper Room and walked to the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus prayed while Peter slept. When Jesus was arrested, Peter followed the group at a distance, out of fear, to the house of the high priest Caiaphas. While Peter awaited what would happen to Jesus, in the courtyard a servant girl of Caiaphas accused Peter of being associated with Jesus of Nazareth. Of course, Peter denied three times vociferously that he knew Jesus (before the rooster crowed twice, as Jesus had prophesied). Mark tells us, upon recognition of his failure, Peter “broke down and wept” (Mark 14:66-72).

Jesus had known Peter would eventually fail. But He said, “When you have turned back, strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:32). Jesus did not say, “If you fail me, you’re finished.” Jesus knew: Failure does not consist in falling down, but in staying down. Moreover, no one reaches their highest potential without their share of failures. So when you make a mistake, admit it with a view to correct it. Have a change of heart concerning it. Peter did and it would be wise if we all would.

In addition, we must learn that God never wastes experiences, nor time. God will use everything that comes into your life as a child of God to bring about His plan, including your failures. So make your failures a learning experience. Peter learned a valuable lesson in humility…we too can learn this, and much more, from failure.

 Simon Peter knew Jesus loved him. He renamed him “Rock.” He chose him to be His disciple. However, he never understood the depths of His love until after he denied Jesus. Then he discovered Christ still loved him and still had a job for him, to feed His lambs. Failure is a good place for us to learn of God’s unconditional love for us and the unconditional love we should have for those around us.

Finally, it is interesting to contrast Peter and Judas. Both failed Jesus the same night, but the end was different. One made failure the end of his life; the other made it the beginning of a new life. Peter went on to be the preacher of Pentecost and one of the great leaders in the early church. Peter moved beyond his failure and it is his later success and whole life by which he is measured. We too must move beyond failure! This we can do with God’s help and by His grace!

Devotedly yours,
Pastor Ron