Depending on God's Grace

 Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.
~ Matthew 26:31-35

It is so easy to think that you can make it on your own. You may be like Peter and the disciplines and not realize that you are saying you do not need Jesus. Peter’s thought process appears to be one of love of Jesus, but when we look at it it reveals something different.

When we look at it Peter is saying that he can make it without His grace. Peter thought that in his willpower and works he will be able to be righteous and upright and follow Jesus. Yet we all know the story of Peter denying Jesus that is less than a day away. It does not give us the exact reason, but there was some shame, and fear of being associated with Jesus. I do not want to diminish his feelings or circumstances, as Peter was likely afraid for his life, but it is apparent that he could not go it alone like Peter originally thought. In less than 24 hours, Peter realized how much he needed Jesus’ grace to cover his inability to bridge the gap. Peter went from being so full of love for Jesus to rejecting Him in a day without Jesus' grace. Thankful Jesus' response to Peter was not, how could you not have more willpower or try harder. Jesus does not want you to go it alone because He knows the result. He knows that you will fall short and wants to journey with you to prevent falls and be there for you to help you up when you do fall.

Your journey to lose weight, get healthy, be successful, run a business, be a great Mom or whatever will be full of moments you feel on top of the world, and you may be tempted to think you can do it on your own. Whether you just nailed getting your kids ready for school, lost 50 lbs, got a promotion, or lowered your cholesterol, you still need Jesus and His grace! You cannot make the journey alone because Jesus knows left alone you will backslide, like Peter. You may feel like you should be able to will yourself to stay with it, but realistically you are just like Peter and the disciplines. You really need His grace no matter if you are just starting or almost at your goal. On the other hand, depending on His grace in your journey, there is no obstacle that can get in the way. Allow Him to be in control and allow His strength to be the driving force in your life.


Along the journey just walk with Him and be thankful that the creator of the universe lowered Himself out of love to walk with you. I am so thankful for His gracious love. I know I cannot make it alone!
<3 Jessica