Sometimes we feel that we have not lived up to what God called us to be. The suffering servant knew that God had called him and gifted him with the Spirit, and yet he felt that he had failed. But God had great plans for him - greater than he could imagine. It was not enough to rebuild and inspire Israel. God was going to make the servant - along with Israel - the light to all nations. It was nothing that the servant could do alone - it would be God's work. So it is with us. We have no right to judge our own worth. God is not done with us - in fact, God has scarcely begun.

Peter did not know himself very well. He believed that he could do great things on his own. After Jesus announced that one would betray him, there was shocked silence. Then they tried to discover who the traitor was. But before the night was out, they would all betray him. Peter assured Jesus that he would suffer and die with him, but Jesus bluntly told him that he was not up to the challenge. Peter first had to experience crushing failure and humiliation. God raised him up, placed the Spirit within him, and sent him on his way to be a great apostle and pillar of the Church. God does great things with very ordinary and weak people - there is hope for us all!