Failure

So often in life we can sit and reflect on where we are at- sometimes in relation to where we were, or to where others are or most often where we want to be. My list of where I would be at this age was long and extensive - and then I look at the list now and could probably tick two things off! Have I failed? Am I not enough? Plaguing and haunting questions! 

But then my reflections brought me to the story of a man. A man who never necessarily had a long and extensive list- but at the time had one goal he was devoted to. He spent his life upon. And he planned to live devoted to that. It was going well until his devotion was challenged. Seemingly, he failed. When asked whether he was a follower of Christ. He denied. Not once. Not twice. But three times! And now I can see Peter asking himself those plaguing and haunting questions. Have I failed? Am I not enough? 

That's where we can end up a lot of the time. However we not only have those questions but can live in that place of failure. I remember someone preaching about this story from the Bible where Peter denied Christ and saying that due to Peter's failure he abandoned his calling. Christ had called him to be a fisher of men. Where was Peter after he denied Christ? Fishing for fish! How many of us have abandoned what we were called or what we love because we feel we have failed? We live in that place, set up root and do everything there. 

Here we come to my favourite part of the story. Redemption. The Friend who he had strongly denied returns. Does He return reminding Peter that he is a failure? 'Yes Peter you have failed!' 'Yes Peter, you are not enough!' 'What were you thinking Peter?!' No. Not at all! All Christ asks Peter is if he loves Him and then instructs Peter to feed His sheep. Christ reaffirms Peter's calling, and He is here to reaffirm ours. One of the translations of Isaiah 60:1 reads to arise out of your depression. Our light has come. The glory of the Lord has risen, it is time for us to arise and shine! We may have many obstacles and flop for real, but God makes all things new. He will turn it around and reaffirm our calling. His saving grace redeems us. Today is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2)

(8) He calls us out to deeper waters, where feet may fail (8) I love that Hillsongs tune. It reminds me that God is calling me to deeper waters to release all that He has put in me. That the gold in me can be refined. But the problem with deeper water is that difficulty arises, it requires more strength especially as the current can be stronger. Feet may fail. But when I get to the end of myself, He is there. Hence why I can do all things through Christ. When I am weak, He is strong. We only fail, when we don't try...

Philippians 4:13

New King James Version (NKJV)

¹³ I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.