I’ve Made A Hugh Mistake
IF YOU THINK YOU’VE BLOWN GOD’S PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE, REST IN THIS MY FRIEND, YOU ARE NOT THAT POWERFUL
I remember spiritually pouring into a guy for two years. He was growing like a weed and was even thinking of going to Bible College and into ministry. I passed some college catalogs on to him to check out some options. And then … he disappeared. He disappeared. I tried everything to find him, but he was gone. No sign of him anywhere.
Two years later I am speaking at big prison. I go in through all the huge metal doors and past the check points and guards into the bowels of the place. I look down a long corridor and there is a prisoner coming toward me from the other end. As we got closer our eyes locked. It was that guy, my friend. When he got close, he said sadly, “What do you do when you feel like a failure?” I remember my exact words to him, “You read John 21.”
In John 21, Peter was the unproud possessor of the world’s three greatest denials. He wondered if there was any hope. He ended up having a transformative encounter with the God of the second chance and the third chance and the fourth.
Tom Watson Sr. was the founder of IBM and a legend in the business community. A real promising Junior Executive once lost the company $10 million in a risky venture (a lot of money today but more back in the early days of IBM). He was called into Tom Watson’s office. The Jr. Executive was overwhelmed with guilt and fear and blurted out, “I guess you’ve called me here for my resignation. Here it is. I resign.” Tom Watson Sr. said, “You must be joking. I just spent $10 million educating you. I cannot afford your resignation. Get back to work.”
Jesus once told Peter he was going to Jerusalem, suffer many things and die. Peter said, “No you are not.” Jesus said,” Get behind me Satan.” Imagine later that night Peter saying, “Jesus, I’m pretty dense. I suppose you want my resignation?” Imagine Jesus saying,” Resignation. Resignation, I cannot afford your resignation. I just invested a REVELATION on you (Thou at the Christ, the son of the living God). Get back to work.”
Another time Peter walked on water but looked up at the storm and began to sink while crying, “Lord save me.” The next day imagine Peter saying, “Jesus I quit. I resign. I mess up too often.” Jesus might have said, “Resignation. I cannot afford your resignation I just invested a MIRACLE on you.”
In John 21 Peter replays the video tape of his denials over and over. He bragged all others might fail you, but I will not. Peter might have said, “Jesus I resign. You do not need me! I am a failure.” Imagine Jesus saying,” Resignation. Resignation. I just invested a RESURRECTION on you. Feed my lambs. Tend my sheep. Get back in the game!”
Anyone feel like quitting? Anyone feel like a failure? READ JOHN 21. Jesus is still the God OF GRACE AND THE GOD OF THE SECOND CHANCE. He cannot afford your resignation. May your heart soar as he invites you to get back into the game.
Dr. Michael Sprague is the Louisiana State Chaplain with the Capitol Commission and President of Grace Adventures. Michael does life with his wonderful wife Donna and resides in Mandeville, LA. His motto is “Bet the Farm on God.” You can find more information about Michael here.
Photo by Kalen Emsley on Unsplash
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