An old anonymous joke described failure in two words: “I can’t.” Funny—until life hands you one of those seasons when “I can’t” feels like your daily testimony.
Edison knew failure well. He tested thousands of materials before finding one that worked for the light bulb. Later, when fire destroyed his research plant and millions of dollars in work went up in smoke, he said, “There is great value in disaster. All our mistakes are burned up. Thank God we can start anew.”
That sounds a little like Simon Peter. In John 21, Peter is back on the Sea of Galilee, doing what he knows best— fishing. But he and the others fish all night and catch absolutely nothing. Professional fishermen. Empty nets. Talk about a bad Yelp review. Into that scene of frustration, the risen Jesus appears quietly on the shore.
They do not recognize Him at first, even when He asks, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” (John 21:5). Their answer is simple: “No.” No excuses. No pretending. Sometimes grace begins not with polished prayers, but with an honest “Lord, I’ve got nothing.”
Jesus tells them, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” (John 21:6). Experienced fishermen obey the carpenter, and suddenly the nets are overflowing. Jesus helps us in present struggles. He sees what we cannot and often asks us to trust Him beyond our own understanding.
Then comes one of my favorite invitations in Scripture: “Come and have breakfast.” (John 21:12). Not thunder. Not fireworks. Breakfast. Fish, bread, and a charcoal fire. Sometimes holiness smells less like incense and more like breakfast by the lake.
But Jesus is doing more than feeding Peter— He is healing him. Around another charcoal fire, Peter had denied Christ three times. Now Jesus asks three times, “Do you love me?” (John 21:17). He is not shaming Peter; He is restoring him.
By one fire Peter said, “I don’t know Him.” By another he says, “Lord, you know that I love you.” Grace does not erase the memory; grace rewrites the meaning.
Then come the beautiful closing words: “Follow me.” (John 21:19). The same call Peter first heard years earlier is spoken again. Failure was not Peter’s destiny. His future was greater than his failure—and ours is too.
If you have failed, welcome to the human race—and welcome to the God of second chances. At Lake Eufaula Christian Church, Jesus still meets people beside empty nets and still says, “Follow Me.” Join us at 415897 Highway 9, Eufaula: small group Bible study at 10 a.m., worship at 11 a.m., 6:30 p.m. service, and Wednesday night all-age activities. In Christ, your story is never over—it may just be time for breakfast.
God Bless You1 Jeremy Litle, Minister
