June 13 | Jesus Meets Us Where We Are

Today’s reading from Ezra 6-8 and John 21 reminds us that God is a God of restoration, renewal, and second chances. Both passages reveal that spiritual formation often happens after disappointment, failure, or seasons that seem unfinished. Rather than abandoning His people, God continues His work in them and through them over time.In Ezra, God's people continue rebuilding and restoring what had been lost. Through obedience, perseverance, and God's faithful provision, the temple is completed, and the people are reminded of their identity as those who belong to Him. The journey back to faithfulness is not instant but steady and purposeful.In John 21, Jesus meets Peter after one of the greatest failures of his life. Instead of condemnation, Peter encounters restoration. Through a series of questions and a renewed calling, Jesus invites Peter to move forward, reminding him that failure does not have the final word when grace is present.Together, these passages invite us to reflect on where past wounds, disappointments, or failures may have shaped the way we walk. They remind us that God often does some of His deepest work after brokenness, gently calling us forward and teaching us to follow Him again.