He Came So Far

Peter is easy to recognize in the Gospels—passionate, impulsive, rough around the edges. He’s the fisherman who speaks before thinking, who swings a sword in the garden to defend Jesus, and then, only hours later, denies even knowing Him when fear takes hold. Peter’s story feels messy, inconsistent, and painfully human. And that’s exactly why it gives us hope.

When we read 1 Peter 1:1–2, we meet a very different man. Peter writes as an apostle, a shepherd, and a leader to scattered believers—steady, thoughtful, and deeply rooted in grace. This is not the anxious, sword-wielding disciple of the Gospels. This is a man who has been shaped by experience and forged by trials. He came so far.

We often look around our churches and notice people who are quite unfinished—sharp edges, rough attitudes, imperfect reactions, and awkward speech. Sometimes we shake our heads, forgetting that sanctification is a process, not an instant transformation. God never promised polish at the starting line. What He promised was that He would faithfully complete the work He began…and work takes time.

Peter didn’t polish himself. He submitted to the steady, skilled craftsmanship of God. Like a rough diamond in the hands of a master, Peter endured grinding, cutting, and pressure—failure, restoration, obedience, and time. Every facet was shaped for God’s glory, not Peter’s comfort.

The same is true for us. God knows exactly what He’s doing when He starts a work in our hearts and lives. We don’t become Christlike by trying harder; we become Christlike by surrendering deeper. Submission is where transformation happens.

Take a moment to consider where you started, where you are now, and where God desires to lead you. We’re all still being formed. The cutting can be painful, the process slow, and the battle daily—but it is worth fighting.

Peter’s life reminds us: rough beginnings do not disqualify us. In the hands of a faithful God, they become the very evidence of His grace!