I Choose Today to Walk in Restoration

Not long ago, I talked about Simon Peter, how he was the boldest, most outspoken, and enthusiastic of all the disciples. He was the first to put himself out there for God; to take a stand, to be bold in how he felt, to be a leader among his peers.

But when push came to shove, when it mattered the most, Peter denied knowing Jesus, not once, but three times. He essentially turned his back on Jesus when the pressures of his circumstances became too much for him to handle.

After Jesus’ death, Peter lost all hope. He went back to the life he knew, the way of life Jesus had called him out of. Instead of being the “fisher of men” Jesus called him to, he went back to being a fisher of, well, fish.

Instead of giving people the gift of being able to be sustained into eternity through Christ Jesus, he was giving them a once and done deal of sustaining them for a moment, merely surviving.

How often do we do that same thing? We make a mistake and we lose all hope of a thriving life? We figure we’d go back to our lives since we feel that is our only option, merely surviving.

But you know what Jesus did? He came back and restored not only Peter, but you and me too!

“A third time He asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed My sheep.” John‬ ‭21‬:‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This conversation was not just about love but also about restoration, commissioning, and preparing Peter for his role as a leader in the early Church.

So even when we mess up, make mistakes, Jesus is always there to forgive and extend His love to us without reservation.

Jesus was also showing Peter He wanted him to continue on the path Peter was destined for: to lead in developing the early Christian church.

Just like Peter, we too can choose today to be restored, forgiven, and called to something greater. Jesus meets us in our failures and leads us forward in love.

Today, take a moment to reflect on any mistakes or feelings of unworthiness you might be carrying. Just like Peter, Jesus wants to forgive and restore us. Jesus calls you to something greater. Will you choose today to walk in that restoration?