Choosing Love Today: Enduring Faith - Episode 13: When Faith Feels Like Starting Over

We’re walking through Romans together, and each day we’re taking one small piece of truth and carrying it into real life. Today, I want to talk about something Paul emphasizes over and over — something every believer needs at some point: the grace to start over. And to see it clearly, I want to walk with Peter for a moment. Peter is one of those disciples we all feel connected to. He’s passionate. He’s impulsive. He’s bold. He’s the guy who jumps out of the boat, speaks before thinking, and promises Jesus he’ll never fall away. He means well — he really does — but sometimes his mouth moves faster than his maturity. And then comes the moment he never imagined: He denies Jesus. Not once. Not twice, but three times! Can you believe? Every time I read that I think to myself, “There's no way I'd do that!” And then in my head I hear Jesus say, “Yea, sure.” Anyway, when that rooster crowed, Peter didn’t just hear a sound — he heard failure. He heard disappointment. He heard the collapse of everything he thought he was. He runs out into the night and weeps. That’s not a man who doesn’t care. That’s a man who cares deeply and feels like he blew it. Paul says in Romans that God’s kindness leads us to repentance — not His anger, not His disappointment, not His frustration. His kindness. And Peter is about to experience that kindness in a way that will change him forever. After the resurrection, Jesus meets Peter on the shore. Not in a courtroom. Not in a lecture hall. On a beach — with breakfast cooking. And instead of asking, “Why did you fail?” Jesus asks, “Do you love Me?” Three times. One for each denial. Jesus isn’t rubbing it in. He’s restoring him. He’s giving Peter a way back — a way forward — a way to start over. And here’s what I want you to hear today: **Starting over isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of grace. ** Peter didn’t get replaced. He didn’t get sidelined. He didn’t get written off. Jesus put him right back into purpose: “Feed My sheep.” Not because Peter was perfect — but because Jesus was faithful. And maybe that’s where you are today. Maybe you’ve had a moment — or a season — where you feel like you blew it. (And honestly, if we're honest with ourselves, haven't all of us had a moment or a season?) Maybe you said something you regretted. Maybe you drifted. Maybe you got distracted. Maybe you feel like your faith isn’t as strong as it used to be. Friend: Listen to me very carefully: God is not done with you. He isn’t disappointed in a way that pushes you away. He isn’t keeping score. As long as you have a beating heart in your body God has a purpose for your life. God made you for a purpose...His purpose...and until you fully realize that purpose life really isn't going to make a lot of sense. Right now your life's mission is to find out your life's mission. He’s inviting you back to the shore. Back to relationship. Back to purpose. Back to grace. Paul says in Romans that nothing can separate us from the love of God — not failure, not fear, not weakness, not regret. And Peter’s story is living proof. So as you move through your day, don’t be afraid to start over. Don’t be afraid to come back. Don’t be afraid to let God restore what feels broken. Because enduring faith isn’t perfect faith. It’s faith that keeps returning to Jesus — again and again — trusting His grace more than your mistakes. Thanks for listening. Put God first in all you do. And always Keep Choosing Love Today.