2 Corinthians 12:9 “And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

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We will probably all agree that nobody is perfect; that our triune God alone is PERFECT.  For some, however, it may be easy to believe with their head but not with their heart. This is an untenable position to be in.  You see, striving for perfection is an impossible task – an exercise in futility.  The compulsion to be perfect almost always ends in failure, self-loathing and depression.  And I personally can speak to this, because I got a double-whammy of this growing up. 

 

Both my Dad and Mom were perfectionists.  They were great people with stellar values who always put others before themselves.  I took piano lessons for 10 years (and accordion for 5).  Some of you may wonder what the correlation is.  In order to progress and become an accomplished musician, the main focus is to point out and correct all imperfections, with the focus being perfection.  It took years to understand why my thought process was so negative as a Christian.  It took more years to step away from the compulsion to be perfect and the self-loathing that followed -- only through God’s love and wisdom.

 

The truth is that God uses (and loves) imperfect people.  Why do I know that?  Because we are ALL people and ALL people are imperfect.  He loves us and uses us IN SPITE of our imperfections. We are called to walk by FAITH in God’s Word and to OBEY, not to be perfect.   

 

You can try your hardest, holding onto the hope that tomorrow you’re finally going to arrive (a/k/a be perfect).  “It ain’t gonna happen!”  You ARE good enough in Christ.  He loves you no matter what (see Romans 8:37-39).  Maybe your parents weren’t proud enough of you, or maybe they never told you that at all.  Maybe your parents didn’t recognize or praise your goodness and accomplishments.  Maybe all you heard and every message you received was that you aren’t good enough. 

 

Here's the TRUTH:

 

YOU ARE GOOD ENOUGH FOR GOD! 

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He knew you before you were born (Jeremiah 1:5).  He loved you and gave His Son for you so that you might be saved (John 3:16)! 

 

Warriors, all you can do is your best.  God knows what that is and so do you.  Do the best you can (Colossians 3:23) and trust God for the rest.  Don’t work yourself to the bone choosing to work tons of overtime to get your boss’ attention while your family suffers at home.  God tells us that He will promote us if we are faithful.  If you don’t take care of your marriage the Enemy will take advantage of that open door.  I have witnessed people who don’t work the hardest or the longest hours get that promotion.  Don’t think that if you do more and more and more that you will be recognized!  You are enough in God's eyes.  He is ALL that matters.  Trust in Him.

 

I found this sermon online by David Owens and wanted to share this excerpt:

 

SPIRITUALITY IS NOT A FORMULA – IT IS A RELATIONSHIP.

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1. Spirituality is not about competency – it is about intimacy.

2. Spirituality is not about perfection – it is about connection.

3. Accepting the reality of our broken, flawed lives is the

    beginning of spirituality.

4. So, Spirituality is not about being fixed and finished; it is

    about God being present in our lives.

 

SO . . . ARE YOU DRIVEN TO BE "PERFECT" INSTEAD OF BEING DRIVEN BY "THE PERFECT ONE?"

 

Our futile attempt to be perfect is not what God desires.  Be easy on yourself and others. See yourself as God sees you.  Know that your worth in God's eyes does not depend on how "perfect" you are.  It depends on the "Perfect One" who loved YOU enough to die in your place that you might have eternal life!

 

Perfection is not what God requires -- God requires your LOVE, FAITH and OBEDIENCE. AMEN!

 

Philippians 3:12-14 “ Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

 

Standing perfect IN CHRIST,

Delann Conrad

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