While leading a high school bible-study in 2018, we were discussing how figures in the Bible – Abraham, Moses, David, Paul – and all of our Saints had faults. None of the leaders of the church were perfect. They became leaders because they overcame their flaws and doubts and, in spite of them, committed themselves to the love of God and humanity. They give us examples of how we, flawed and doubtful as we are, can do the same.
One of the participants, who is a creative thinker, described the Saints as being “Adequate.” It was such an unusual word to associate with the canonized Saints (Capital ‘S’), or the everyday, ordinary saints (small ‘s’).
Later, I looked up the definition, and found two meanings. The first definition: ample, suitable, and requisite fit the popular view of the canonized Saints. The second definition: undistinguished, unremarkable, and ordinary fit the rest of us. In that context, adequate reminds us that we don’t have to be special. We are called by God to do the best we can to follow Him, warts and all.
Adequate then becomes a comfort and a challenge. Comforting, because we are not rejected due to our failings, but loved in spite of them. Challenging because we cannot use our faults as an excuse. We are called to incorporate those faults into our faith journey as we strive to love God and all of humanity.