In reading today in Luke 22 I was caught off guard by a verse, on of many I’ve skimmed over throughout the years.
“but I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. When you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
Luke 22:32 NET
What is interesting about this is the part where Jesus says “when you have turned back.” Jesus prayed that Peter would not have a failing in his faith, but in his omniscience, he knew it would happen and pre-extended grace to him. How many times has God pre-extended grace to me? The bigger question is at what cost?
I think what I love more about this is that not only did Christ pre-extend grace to Peter, He also gave him a charge for when he turned back that he was to lead those entrusted to his care.
This tells me two things:
- The God of the universe already knows, and accepts, that in our fallen state we will fail, but that just as He mentions about King David; He can still see us as a man after His own heart even through our fallen state.
- God has a plan for each of us and will always bring us back to that mission if we allow Him to.
I thank God that He is willing to accept our failings, guide us back and always have a place in His mission for us in spite of the fact that we can never truly live up to His standard. 
An Ordinary Methodist 