Peter failed.

When faced with the opportunity to stand with his Lord, he bailed, denying the One Who had called Him, the One to Whom he had declared his undying allegiance (John 18:25 – 27).

After the crucifixion, though, Peter could still be found with the disciples. He showed up at the tomb. He was present when Jesus appeared to bless them. Later, he went on to give his life for his Master, just as he had promised (John 13:37).

When we fail, we have a choice – check out, or check in with God in repentance.

Peter checked in. He kept showing up. He declared his love for the Lord (John 21:17), and he lived that love in a life of sacrifice and service. He checked in.

Sometimes we allow our failures to stop us.  We wallow in our unworthiness and gather our guilt into our hearts, avoiding the Savior Who loves us. We check out.

Victory and freedom come when we check in. God does not abandon the fallen; His arms are outstretched as He calls us to Himself. He knows we are sinners – no surprise there. That is why He sent His Son to pay the penalty for sin (Luke 19:10).

We can allow failure to derail us from serving Christ, or we can let Him cleanse us. I John 1:9 reminds us of His willingness to do just that.

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Failure doesn’t define us, but where we run when we fail does.

Run to Jesus.

Hebrews 12:1-2 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which does so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Photo Fallen Tree, Beth Mims