REDEEMING FAILURE

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.”- JOHN 21:15-17

Igrew up hearing this phrase: “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.” William Edward Hickson, an educator, is credited with popularizing this longer version:

‘Tis a lesson you should heed: Try, try, try again. If at first you don’t succeed, Try, try, try again.’

This saying reminds me of Thomas Alva Edison, who perfected the light bulb. (He actually did not invent the light bulb!) By the end of his life had 1,000 patents to his name. Was he a failure or success? It depends on your perspective. Here is one opinion I found:

‘Though the future inventor had revolutionary ideas that would change the course of the industries that hired and fired him, the young man had, in the words of his 1931 obituary in the New York Times, “achieved a reputation as the [telegraph] operator who couldn’t keep a job.”’

There was a period in my life when, like Edison, I was feeling frustrated with the job roles that I had started and then either quit or been let go. I was afraid of failure, and often tried to cover up my mistakes, but I knew that I was failing.

John C. Maxwell’s book Failing Forward: Turning Mistakes into Stepping Stones for Success really helped me during this time. Two quotes that stood out to me are:

“We are all failures. At least, the best of us are.” J.M Barrie

“What makes the difference between average people and achieving people is their perception of and response to failure.” John C. Maxwell

How does God redeem our failures? Peter denied Christ three times. By most ordinary standards, he should have been fired from being a disciple, even though he was afraid for his life when he disowned Christ. But for Peter, his denials were not the end of the story.

Christ asked him three questions – actually the same question, three times – to get him back on track. “Do you love me?” Then he repeated the same instruction, also three times: “Feed my sheep!” To my way of thinking, this meant, “Get back to work doing what I’ve called you to do; you’re still employed.” Peter would continue to fail, but that was no excuse for giving up!

Jesus, thank you for not firing Peter! Please help me to get beyond my own failures as a disciple, and remind me that the question still remains, “Do you love me?” Then, in your Spirit’s power, show me how to “try, try, try again” to get back on track with what you’ve called me to do! Amen.

Today’s Challenge: Do you feel like a failure? Confess whatever is holding you back from following God’s will for your life. Ask God to help you see that you’re “still employed”!

The Ministry of Reconciliation

As believers, we have the privilege of being part of God’s unifying work on earth.

2 Samuel 14:1-3

David and his son Absalom had a broken relationship, and for years neither tried to make amends. Today’s passage says that Joab, who “perceived that the king’s heart was drawn toward Absalom,” decided to do something about it (v. 1).

According to Paul, we, too, are called to help make things right. In 2 Corinthians 5, he says, “God … reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.” This doesn’t mean we need to interject ourselves into others’ disagreements, but as ambassadors for Christ, we should forgive and lovingly point people to Jesus, who is “reconciling the world to Himself.” What wonderful news for us, because there will be times when we need to be reconciled to someone else. We should be quick to apologize, humbly admitting our part and extending grace for their mistakes. Like Jesus, we should “not [count] their wrongdoings against them, and [be] committed to … the word of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:18-19).

It’s hard to conceive of a love this huge: God sent His Son to die so we could have a right relationship with Him. Offering each of us welcome and forgiveness, He meets us where we are, embraces us like a father who has missed His child, and reconciles us to Himself. Won’t you receive that love—and share it?

God Vindicates His People

If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord” … Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 12:18–19, Romans 12:21

Imagine a child who comes home from school deeply upset by something another child said or did. On the verge of tears over a hurt looming larger than a mountain, it would be easy for her to be thinking that she would never again speak to the one who caused the harm, or to be planning out how she would get her own back one day.

Imagine, though, that her parents suggest she write a simple note, extending both forgiveness and friendship, and the next day, having done so, she is able joyfully to report back: “I did it! I took the note to school, and it worked. We hugged, and we’re friends. It was fantastic!”

This is what it means to obey Paul’s call here to live peaceably “so far as it depends on you.” Sometimes, peace will be elusive; but never let that be because of some lack on our part. And may it never be because we are chasing or plotting revenge. Vengeance is a dish only to be served by God, and never by His people.

Quite frankly, the majority of our disputes are really just grown-up versions of what happens in childhood. Our response in the face of injustice says a lot about what we truly believe. Will we “repay evil for evil” (1 Peter 3:9), which is the way of the world, or will we respond according to the mind of Christ?

All our conflicts and hurts pale in comparison with what Jesus faced and felt. Yet when Jesus was reviled, He did not revile in return. When He suffered, He did not curse or threaten. We must not make the great mistake of accepting Jesus’ salvation but ignoring His example, spending our lives trying to clear our names, defend our motives, and explain ourselves, seeking redress for every wrong and revenge for every slight. That is what comes naturally to us; and what frees us from that path is to remember that we can trust God to vindicate His people in due time. Justice will be served, and not by us. So, is there someone you need to reach out to in peace? Is there someone whom you are allowing to experience your wrath instead of your love in some way? Beloved, leave vengeance to God, and overcome evil with good. Today.