I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. (Philippians 1:6, NLT)

The saving work of Jesus Christ is that he finds us after we lose our way in trying to become something other than who we are. That salvation invites us to live the rest of our lives in humble gratitude for the really good life Jesus keeps giving back to us. — M. Craig Barnes

Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. … The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him. (Romans 12:2-3, MSG)

Jesus sees us not only as we are, but as we can be; and he says: "Give your life to me, and I will make you what you have it in you to be." Once someone came on Michelangelo chipping away with his chisel at a huge shapeless piece of rock. He asked the sculptor what he was doing. "I am releasing the angel imprisoned in this marble," he answered. Jesus is the one who sees and can release the hidden hero in every man. — William Barclay

Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus. Looking intently at Simon, Jesus said, Your name is Simon, son of John—but you will be called Peter (which means “rock”). (John 1:42, NLT)