He was fervent. He was devoted. But one day, the Chairman of the Board in an important meeting told him that he was going to make a mistake, denying any knowledge of the mission. To make it measurable, He told him that this will happen thrice before the rooster would crow the next morning.
It happened. And Peter quickly realized that he had failed his Master and his teammates. But instead of falling further, he changed course. He later became a rock to the mission, crucified upside down, because he felt he was not even worthy to die like his Master. The St. Peter’s Basilica memorizes his tomb and the global Catholicism cements that transformation: “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church.”
How many times have you failed a “test” and missed targets? How many times has the big boss told you that you are likely to return sub-par numbers? First? Second? Third?
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Learn from Peter and find inner energy to overcome setbacks. Despite failing his tests thrice, he overcame them, recommitted and redoubled efforts to the mission. Rising to the top does not mean zero failures because failure is part of success. Failures bring humility and remind us that we’re humans. Those failures made Peter better!
We desire that we do not have to fail, but if for any reason we have setbacks, we must rise above them. Yes, we can be the “rock” in that company, in that family, and in the community, out of those experiences. Happy Sunday.
— References
Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.” “I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “This very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.[Matthew 26:33–35]
Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house. Peter followed at a distance and when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, “This man was with him.” But he denied it. “Woman, I don’t know him,” he said.[Luke 22:55–57]
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Peter said the typical things we say in Board meetings: ‘But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.’ Yes those “we will beat the numbers”. But we do not execute sometimes. The key is rebuilding out of those setbacks and not dwelling on them, to avoid sapping energy to lose focus on the mission.
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