Redeeming Our Failures

with Pastor Zak Vazquez

Hey family, my name is Zach Vasquez. I’m a pastor at Calvary Chapel, Miami, and I just want to encourage you.

So often, as pastors, we can think that we need to be some type of Superman for the flock. Oftentimes, we’re tempted to hide our weaknesses or failures. We think if we are really going to serve God’s people, they can’t know any of our past, our weaknesses, or our failures.

Being a dad, sometimes I’m so ashamed of my past or things I’ve done. There’s almost a temptation to hide who I once was and the things I once did in my life from my kids.

Look to Scripture and the Lives of the Disciples

My encouragement to you is to look at Scripture and even think of the life of Paul, Peter, and many disciples who could not hide from their past failures.

I constantly think of Paul and how his past failures, I believe, were a fire in the furnace of his soul to serve God’s people. The Lord encouraged him that His grace was sufficient, more than sufficient for his weaknesses and failures.

This isn’t an excuse or a crutch for us to sin now. His grace is sufficient for our past weaknesses and failures, and when we mess up, His grace is more than enough to lift us up.

Using Your Past to Minister

Brothers, consider that perhaps the Lord wants to use your past failures and weaknesses to minister to the flock.

In my life, being a prodigal and walking away from the Lord and wanting nothing to do with Him, it was painful and not something I’m proud of. But it has helped me pray more fervently with moms and dads of prodigals. It has given me deeper compassion for people who walk away or slip from the faith, rather than judging them.

In my past, I also struggled with pornography. Being able to share this with the flock, especially men who may be dominated by it now, has shown me that there is power in the name of Jesus Christ. Just as He gave me victory, He can give you victory in your life as well.

So, pastor, I encourage you: don’t think you need to be better than Paul, Peter (who denied Jesus three times), David, or other spiritual giants. Think of Moses and many others.

Thank the Lord, there’s only one Jesus, and we only need one Jesus.

Be Real and Honest

Be willing to share some of your past weaknesses with fellow brothers in the flock. They don’t need a Superman, they need a shepherd who loves them and is real and honest.

Don’t try to live in an ivory tower or put on a Superman cape. Be honest and broken before the flock, and before our Lord.

God loves to use broken vessels, people who are willing to bring their brokenness to Him.

Don’t let your persona be what you depend on. Be dependent on the grace of Jesus Christ despite your failures.

Love you guys, keep up the good work.