Don’t Let One Mistake Define You

This is our B moment. Our moment to be still…to be fed by the Word of God…to be grateful.

Scripture reference: Isaiah 43:25 (NLT)

Today I am thinking about how we can let one mistake define us. Sometimes its not conscious, but it’s subconscious. Recently I shared how a listener was moved by one of the B Moments. He wrote a note making the point that when we leave this earth the most significant thing we leave behind is our example.

Sometimes we can believe that past mistakes have made it impossible to make an honorable legacy. In other words, our life’s example already has a stain on it.

Let’s refer to Peter’s life in the Scriptures again. Peter denied Christ, not once but three times, right before the Crucifixion. Anyone could argue that there could be no greater stain than that. Peter fell and he fell hard.

But Peter did not allow that one reprehensible decision to define his life.

There’s a second part to his story, one that cannot be left out if we are to tell his story honestly. Peter stood back up. He didn’t stay down there with his shame and weakness. He rose up and went on to turn thousands of souls to Christ.

I think God uses Peter’s life as inspiration for anyone who wants to chart a new path and leave an admirable example for generations to come.

I know this for sure by these Words, “I—yes, I alone—will blot out your sins for my own sake and will never think of them again.“ Isaiah 43:25 (NLT)

Please share this reflection with others as they also desire to be inspired.

So today, don’t leave your story untold. A fall is only half the story. Getting back up is the other half.