He never gives up on us

I think everyday God tries to mature me in Him whether I ask for it or not, which I am thankful for. Today I'm trying to learn to just plug forward doing what I know to do and trust God for the rest. I can't control so much that goes on in my life, and the more I do, the more it spirals out of control.

I was reading the story of Peter and Jesus today when Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves Him. I never got it until today that Jesus asked him three times because thats how many times Peter denied Jesus. But the interesting thing is that Jesus left it at that. I'm sure it had to hurt Jesus tremendously that the person whom he called "the rock" denied him in his hour of utmost need. But Jesus simply affirmed that Peter loved him and left it at that. He didn't pull out a litany of things Peter has done wrong or make an example of him before the other disciples. HE FORGIVES HIM!

But let this be a lesson of true forgiveness. Jesus not only never mentiones it again, he tells Peter that he will build the church upon him. Jesus offers true forgiveness, where he moves past the fact and even gives Peter new responsibilities and trusts him. I was really moved by this in that Jesus goes beyond forgetting our sins and stupid stuff, he trusts us with more if we genuinely seek Him. If we truly call ourselves his followers he will not only forgive, but bless us more. Praise be to God! This was encouraging to me in light of my reflections on all my mistakes and unfaithulness to God. Indeed God is proved righteous and loving and just in all he does. He doesn't keep us down, he honestly desires for us to succeed, which is something I often doubt in myself. I thank God for this assurance as He alone can give me the confidence I need to live beyond myself. To live for Christ and to live with integrity and perseverance and love. Glory to God in the Highest!