"Jesus answered, "I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me." Luke 22:34
Somewhere along the first 13.1 mile race Melissa Kitcher of Florida ever competed in, she got lost... very lost. In fact, she was missing for nearly 12 hours after running off course during the Trail Hog Half Marathon Sunday. Logging more than 16 miles before being found, Kitcher said that she had her eyes set on redemption and would be signing up for another half marathon on March 19th saying, "Everybody keeps telling me no more races. I said I'm lucky this one's on the street."
Don't you love that attitude? Instead of letting one wrong turn keep her from moving forward, she decided to let her mistake stay in the past and try again. And you know the Bible tells us that Peter did the exact same thing. When he vowed that he would never deny Jesus even if all the other apostles did, "Jesus answered, "I tell you Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me." And deny Jesus is exactly what he did. But even though Peter turned his back on Jesus, God forgave him and reaffirmed his faith. Peter repented and continued to share the Good News, even until his death.
Wow! Did you get that part? God forgave Peter. Then leaving his mistake in the past, Peter moved forward serving and proclaiming his Messiah until the day he died. And you know what? God wants to do the same for you. No matter what you've done or how lost you may feel, God is there... waiting. Won't you let him give you a fresh start today?
Heavenly Father, thank you for your mercies that are new every morning. Help us to believe that you are the God of second chances and that you want to forgive us if we would only ask and give us a fresh start. Help us to admit where we have gone off course, repent and be put back on track that we might serve you all the rest of our days. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!!!
One step away - Casting Crowns
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