In a 2002 interview with the Palm Beach Post-Cox News Service, she said: “I’m grateful to be a practicing Christian. I’m always amazed when people say, ‘I’m a Christian.’ I think, ‘Already?’ It’s an ongoing process. You know, you keep trying. And blowing it and trying and blowing it …
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Now, I know, in a sense, she’s right. As frail and fallen human beings, we do continually blow it. And the wonderful thing is, every time we do, we can run to Jesus and confess our sin and our failure. And He will pick us up and put us back on our feet and remind us that He loves and forgives us.
But sometimes I think we get stuck on the “trying” and forget that, positionally, we ARE Christians.  We don’t become them by trying or practicing.  Being a Christian is NOT an on-going process. It is a one-time step of faith that takes us from darkness to light, from sinner to saint.
Becoming Christ-like, though, that is the part that is an ongoing process. We will not complete that process in this lifetime. And we do try and fail – usually when we’re trying in our own strength.  See, Jesus doesn’t want us to live the Christian life.  He wants to live His life through us.  Our part is to get out of the way and let Him.
So if you feel like Maya Angelou today – trying and blowing it – stop trying so hard and just get out of the way. Put yourself in His hands and let Him live through you.
Ruth Schmidt
Ruth Schmidt has worked at America’s Keswick since 1985. She currently serves as Administrative Assistant to Bill Welte.