“At that moment the cock crowed for the second time. Then Peter remembered that Jesus had said to him, ‘Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.’ And he broke down and wept” (Mark 14:72).
You are not a failure for failing. You are a failure only if you quit.
The verse comes at the end of Peter vehemently – swearing and cussing – denying that he even knew Christ, after pledging to even die with Christ before denying him.
So it is with us. We have made so many promises to do right, live right, think right, and be right. And, thus far, we’re all batting a 1000%! We’ve failed every time.
Failing doesn’t make one a failure.
After realizing how he had let Jesus down, Peter broke down and wept. Repented. And got back up and went back to the other disciples.
Don’t quit because you failed. God’s not surprised by our failures. God is not disappointed with you or me because of our failures. The only time we let God down is when we quit.
Failing doesn’t make you a failure. Quitting does.
You see, God’s never done working in you and me. God is constantly working to make us more like him. God will never quit on you, so never quit on God.
After failing Jesus, Peter repents and Jesus restores him to ministry and service. And the Little Church and Lakewoodgrace are currently studying 1 Peter together in our Sunday services because Peter never quit. Peter certainly failed, but he never quit.
Keep at it. Keep going. Never, ever quit. God is at work in us.
Praxis: Faith in Action 