At least that's what author John Kleinig writes in his book, "Grace Upon Grace."
God always wants us to start where we are, rather than where we would like to be, on our spiritual journey. We can therefore face up to our recurring failure to live as His holy people and people as prayer. In fact, our failure is meant to teach us to ask for what we lack and receive everything from Christ.
The more I ponder these sentences, the more I agree with them. When Jesus called His disciples to follow Him, He took them just as they were - fishermen, tax collector and the like. The Lord didn't give Peter a year's notice to get himself in spiritual shape and then report for service. He took Peter, with his big heart (and his big mouth) and taught and nurtured and guided him, while Jesus was taking the path that would lead to the cross.
When the Lord calls us through His Word of grace, He does just as He did with Peter. He calls us where we are at. His Law and Gospel calls us to repentance and faith. His Baptism removes the stain of sin from our lives. When we fail to "live as His holy people and people of prayer," His Word of forgiveness sets us back on the path that we follow, our new life in Christ. Our act of kneeling at the altar rail to receive the Lord's body and blood in the Holy Supper reminds us that God showers us in worship with what we lack and motivates us to be faithful in worshipping and serving the Lord.
Most of us fear failure. We hate to think of the consequences. Failure could bring shame and disappointment and loss. But our God of grace hears us when we confess our failures to Him. He doesn't give up on us but patiently continues to give us all we need for living as disciples of Christ Jesus.
Don't live your spiritual journey in your own strength. The Lord is ready to help you live as a disciple of Christ Jesus.
