On the first day I had my driver’s license, I hopped in my new-to-me 1978 Chrysler Cordoba with the grand mission of driving to my godmother’s house to drop off a letter. It was a made-up errand so I could show off my newly minted driver’s license and car.
Nervous energy pulsed like rocket fuel through my 16-year-old, inexperienced veins. As I cruised down my street, the front end of my Cordoba extended out like a long, wide surfboard on the front of the car. If I ever wanted to do a picnic with ten of my friends sitting on the hood, there would be plenty of room.
As I followed the speed limit and obeyed the road signs, I congratulated myself on this maiden voyage, even though I hadn’t yet reached my destination. After only ten minutes of driving on my own, I envisioned the open roads and my independence. The world would be mine one mile at a time.
Who knew my godparents’ mailbox would crush my dreams of conquering the world?
As I turned into my godparents’ driveway, my inexperienced brain didn’t calculate the significantly longer hood of my Cordoba car hood than the comparably stubby hood of my parents’ 1980s GMC conversion van I’d learned how to drive in. Relatively speaking, only two friends could fit on the front of the van’s hood.
Even now, I can still hear the Cordoba’s authentic metal fender smashing my godparents’ wooden mailbox pole next to their driveway. My nine-month pregnant godmother speed-waddled out her front door to make sure I was okay.
Then the neighbors came out. My godfather came home. My dad drove over. As they inspected the damage, I cried into my godmother’s shoulder.
Minutes before, I was so sure of myself.
Then I messed up.
I hurt things that weren’t mine.
I didn’t have the power to fix it.
Deep down, I never wanted to drive again.
Was this how Peter felt waking up the morning after telling the people around the fire that he didn’t know Jesus? Could he still hear the echo of the rooster in his ears? (Matthew 26:74-75).
Before He was arrested, Jesus told the disciples to meet Him in Galilee (Matthew 26:32.) Peter didn’t listen and followed the arresting mob to the high priest’s home (Luke 22:54). Even before that, Jesus told Peter to pray against temptation when they were in the garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:40). Instead, Peter took a nap.
While we could focus on Peter’s pride, disobedience, or betrayal, we can learn so much more from the three healing choices Peter made in the wake of his mistakes:
- He didn’t isolate.
- He didn’t run from God.
- He embraced Jesus’ forgiveness and grace.
How often do we withdraw from others when we make mistakes? Shame whispers for us to run and hide. This is where Satan pummels us with lies about how we’ll never be able to recover. All lies. Without trusted, godly voices to remind us of God’s love and forgiveness, we’ll sink into a pit of self-condemnation. But, here’s the truth we can celebrate:
“So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.”
Romans 8:1 NLT
We don’t know what Peter did immediately after denying Jesus, but we do read that he was present with the other disciples on the Sunday morning of Christ’s resurrection. Maybe he did go off for a few hours and beat himself up, but he didn’t allow shame to keep him away.
Second, Peter doesn’t run from God. When the risen Christ appears to Peter and a group of disciples as they are fishing, Peter jumps from his boat and swims to meet Jesus (John 21:7). Many of us run away from God, like Jonah, when we should be more like Peter and run toward God after making mistakes.
My hunch is that Peter’s reconnection with other believers spoke truth and love into his life, which made him ready to come face-to-face with Jesus.
Peter’s first two choices made the last step of embracing grace possible. If we never made mistakes, we’d never need grace.
Jesus walks Peter through the repentance and forgiveness process and restores Peter (John 21:15-17). Peter felt the sting of being asked three times if he loved Jesus, but Jesus’ instructions mirrored the number of times Peter had denied Him. In the end, Peter didn’t let his past mistakes stop him from receiving the forgiveness and restoration he needed.
As you reflect on the three steps Peter took after his colossal failure, which one tends to trip you up?
- Do you isolate yourself from others after making a mistake?
- Do you distract yourself to avoid God?
- Are you so committed to beating yourself up that it’s hard to grab the grace God gives?
I remember my dad looking me in the eyes and saying, “Accidents happen, Barbara. Now, you’ll be more careful.” It was a mistake, but it was also the result of pride. Gratefully, I was given forgiveness and grace anyway.
This is what God does for us as well. Life happens. We’ll make mistakes. Praise God for grace.
Dear Barb……..It was really great to hear a devotion from you today and it was one that gave me reminders about 2 things I had done that were not right. I live in a facility where there are 100 people (all Seniors). I will be 78 on Sunday the 21st. It is impossible here as even though this is supposed to be independent living, it is not. Anyone that can pay the rent can move in no matter what their condition. I hadn’t been here too long myself when I ran into a man that was looking lost. I asked if I could help and I helped him find his room; however he wanted to come into my apartment as he thought I was single. None of us here will do this as you never know. As time we all saw the real him and he was not someone who should live here. He was nasty, smoked a cigarette ever 7 minutes, was drunk a lot of the time and his pants never covered his butt. Everyone avoided him as another thing he did was constantly ask us for money for the bar. The smell of him made all of us avoid even getting in the elevator with him. Just this week I was thinking about him. I decided to try and talk to him again and I ran into him in the Atrium. I asked him how he was doing and we had a conversation about a pain he was having. I gave him some advice and he actually said thanks to me. Barb, I felt so much better that I did this as I was avoiding going to God. Just another short one. That same week I talked to a 90 year old woman who cursed me about the clothes I wear and she said some other things that were not very nice. I happened to run into her as we were waiting for an elevator and said Hello to her and ask her how she was doing. The conversation continued and we ended it with saying we were going to be friends. It is important here as it is such a not friendly place and the rent is so high for things we don’t even get but are paying for. Again, I was happy that we could talk to each other again without being unfriendly. So, Barb, thank you so much for your devotion. See how much you women of (in)courage help me every day. I find something every day that helps me get through this dark season that I am living in, but that is another story. I send my love and best wishes to you that you may enjoy a blessed weekend that we are approaching. I could not do it without all of you and your words. Thanks again…………..Betsy Basile
Thank you for sharing. Thanking God for his grace and mercy.
Great devotion Barb. Yes, thank God for His grace and mercy! Hugs and prayers ❤️
Thanks, Barb! These analogies are both wonderful. I’m glad you didn’t tell us you never drove a car again! My first mistake driving was hitting a light pole by my girlfriend’s driveway! It survived. And so did I! 73 and still driving. Carefully and prayerfully.