Grace in this Mess

Seeking His Faithfulness When We Stumble

Being faithful is part of living out the calling that God has placed upon our lives. It includes being steadfast in what we deem important or flat-out fun, as well as the small, day-to-day tasks that often go unnoticed. Those tasks may not be visible to others, but they are essential to the core of our calling. They’re moments of quiet obedience.

So, what do we do when we stumble and fall? When we let distractions, doubts, or the pressures of life push us off course? Are we a lost cause, or is there any room for redemption?

If it sounds like I’m writing from experience, well, friend, that’s because I am. You see, I heard the call to share the hope of Jesus with women and started Roll Called Ministries. When we first began, I was full of excitement, brimming with ideas and passion. I couldn’t wait to wake up each day and share what the Lord had placed on my heart to encourage others.

But as the months went on, that initial excitement began to fade. The flame that once burned brightly grew dimmer and dimmer by the day. Rather than relying on God, the true source of sustainability, I relied on my own enthusiasm. I allowed things to get in the way—day-to-day obligations, work demands, unexpected hurdles, you name it, I used it-- all of it kept me from doing what I knew God had called me to. I made all the typical excuses. "This season is just too busy right now." "Maybe I didn’t hear God clearly." "Perhaps… I’m not the right person for this after all." And the more excuses I made, the more shame I felt. The dream God had given me started to feel impossible, and as the list of reasons why grew longer, so did the weight of my guilt.

The pressures of life began to pile up, and little by little, I started to drift farther away from what I heard God had called me to. Before I knew it, I was swimming in an ocean of guilt. I felt like I was letting others down, but even worse, I felt like I was disappointing my Heavenly Father. It broke my heart to know that I wasn’t being obedient to Him. I felt stuck, ashamed, and paralyzed by the fear that I had messed up too much to be able to be used by God.

In those moments, it’s easy to feel like the journey is over, like we’ve gone too far off the road to get back on track. But, friend, that is not how the story has to end. Because God is not done with you or me. The hope found in the Gospel is at the cross. Jesus didn’t come for those who have it all together—He came for the weary, the broken, and the ones who mess up time and time again. Because Jesus bled, died, and rose again, we are invited into a relationship with the Father, where grace covers our failures, and mercy meets us amid our sin. He takes our heaps of ashes and turns them into something beautiful.  

It’s in these moments of weakness that God’s Word shines brightest. Philippians 1:6 says, “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” This is a promise of God's faithfulness, a reassurance that He didn’t place a calling on your life just to abandon you when you fall short. He isn’t surprised by our weaknesses—He knew every one of them when He chose us. And still, He is faithful to complete the work He started in us.

While we can trust fully in God's sovereignty, does this mean we can sit back, put our feet up, sip a fancy latte, and let God handle what He has called us to do because we know He’s in control? No, dear friend. Part of the beautiful, intimate relationship with God is listening and then acting on the things He reveals to us. He equips us with strength and perseverance, but we still must take the steps of obedience through faith to which He calls us. Will we get it wrong again? Oh, almost certainly—especially if you’re like me and get sidetracked by things that sound fun and exciting. However, we must not lose sight of God’s call or grow weary of doing the good work God has set before us. His strength is made perfect in our weakness. Cling to 2 Corinthians 12:9 as it says, “And He has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.’ Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.”

I pray that we continually recognize that guilt, die to our fleshly desires, and lay it all down at the cross—then walk away from it, trusting that Jesus already carried it for us. Your worth is not determined by your performance, your success, or your drive for perfection. As His daughter, you are loved, chosen, and redeemed by a God who sees the end from the beginning. Let your faith in His grace and redemption be your anchor, and let it reassure you that you are not defined by your mistakes.

Take heart, daughter of the Most High. If you feel like you’ve failed, know that swimming in the sea of guilt is not where you have to remain. It’s often the place where grace abounds even more. Your mistakes do not cancel God’s plans for you. In fact, He uses them to teach you, to draw you closer to Him, and to remind you that this journey is about His power, not our own.

Friend, being steadfast in our calling means trusting that even when we stumble, God remains faithful. He will finish what He has started in you, no matter how the journey looks right now. He is always reaching down to pick you back up -- like the Father who never lets you down, even when life feels like one big “Sorry, Daddy, I’ve fallen again, please wash me clean.’”. He always reaches out to forgive, guide, and restore us, just like a good father who never gives up on His children. Place your hand in His as you keep moving forward in faith. Trust that even in the messy, imperfect moments, God is working all things together for your good and His glory. Every day is a new start because His mercies are new every morning. His grace reaches into the deepest messes, His redemption covers our biggest mistakes, and His love is strong enough to restore you fully.

Heavenly Father,
Thank You for Your unending grace and faithfulness. When we stumble, You are there to pick us up and remind us that our journey is not over. Lord, help us to give You our guilt and shame, trusting that You have already carried our burdens to the cross. Teach and lead us to be steadfast in both the big moments and the small, unseen acts of obedience.
In Jesus’ name, we pray.
Amen