Stumbling Faithfulness

Over the past many years, I have used a phrase in sermons, Devos, and even my bios on social media and the books I've written that has resonated with more than a few people. 

"I'm stumbling after Jesus." 

I've written about that phrase before, but I don't recall ever sharing where it came from until now.  I was working on something not too long ago, and I came across a passage from Brennan Manning's Ragamufin Gospel that I'd highlighted years ago: 

“What makes authentic disciples is not visions, ecstasies, biblical mastery of chapter and verse, or spectacular success in the ministry, but a capacity for faithfulness. Buffeted by the fickle winds of failure, battered by their own unruly emotions, and bruised by rejection and ridicule, authentic disciples may have stumbled and frequently fallen, endured lapses and relapses, gotten handcuffed to the fleshpots and wandered into a far county. Yet, they kept coming back to Jesus.”

So now you know the origin story of the phrase that became a descriptor of sorts for my life of faith and who I am as a flawed but trying-to-be-faithful follower of Jesus. Let me explain why it matters so much.  

There’s something profoundly liberating in those words. Manning’s description dismantles the illusion that discipleship is about perfection. Instead, he reveals it as a pilgrimage marked by perseverance. The measure of our faith isn’t found in our flawless record but in our relentless return to the One who called us.

Throughout Scripture, faithfulness—rather than brilliance or performance—is what God desires most. In the parable of the talents, Jesus says, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21). Notice He doesn’t say successful or impressive. Faithfulness is the steady heartbeat of discipleship: showing up again and again, even when we’ve fallen short or lost our way.

Peter knew this kind of stumbling faithfulness. He denied Jesus three times, yet when the risen Christ called him to breakfast on the beach, Peter came running. David, the “man after God’s own heart,” failed spectacularly, but he kept returning in repentance and trust. Even Thomas, wrestling with doubt, still showed up in the room where Jesus appeared. Their faithfulness wasn’t flawless—it was resilient.

The spiritual journey, as Manning suggests, is less about achieving holiness and more about surrendering to grace. Faithfulness is what keeps us tethered to God when our feelings falter and our confidence fades. It’s choosing to believe that no failure can sever us from Christ’s love, no stumble can disqualify us from His mercy.

So keep stumbling forward. Keep returning. Keep trusting that Jesus welcomes you not because you’ve mastered the way, but because you keep coming back to walk it with Him.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for loving me in my stumbles and calling me to follow You still. When I lose my footing, help me rise again in faith. Teach me that faithfulness is not perfection but perseverance—trusting that Your grace is enough for each step I take. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

1. When have you felt like you “stumbled” in your faith, and what helped you find your way back to Jesus?

2. How might you practice daily faithfulness, even in small and unseen ways?

3. What does Brennan Manning’s image of “keeping coming back to Jesus” mean for your spiritual journey right now?