I’ve been thinking a lot about perfection.
And I can’t think of one way that looking or acting perfect is in line with God’s plan for our lives.
Our purpose from which everything else stems is to love God and love others.
Looking or acting perfect does not demonstrate our love to the One who created us.
Besides that, we may fool people, but God knows who we really are.
He knows are darkest secrets. He knows our deepest pain.
We may hide it from others but we can’t hide it from Him.
We are called to walk humbly with our God. Micah 6:8
The power of God isn’t demonstrated when we look perfect.
The power of God is on display when we are vulnerable and not afraid to show others our imperfections. When we acknowledge we need God’s help, He will lift us up.
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up. James 4:10
Trying to present yourself as perfect or close to perfect, doesn’t help us love others either.
In fact, I think it prevents us from loving others like God wants us to love them.
We are supposed to offer hospitality. 1 Peter 4:9
But we can’t invite people over if our house is a mess right?
What will they think?
It needs to look perfect first, right?
If you’re like me, the house is 99.9% of the time not going to look perfect. In fact, more often than not, it’s going to look like it’s been ransacked by a bunch of wild children.
So if I wait for the perfectly clean house, you, my friend, will not be receiving hospitality from me.
We are supposed to be clothed with kindness, humility, and patience. Colossians 3:12
If we are focused on seeking perfection, it’s easy to lose patience. It’s easy to forget to be kind in pursuit of looking or acting a certain way. Pride is more likely to be found rather than humility.
If we were able to achieve looking perfect, would we be approachable to others?
We are supposed to carry one another’s burdens. Galatians 6:2
I want to be able to encourage and lift others up.
Looking perfect will discourage others from approaching us with their problems.
Perfection can feel like bondage.
But letting go, can break the chains.
Seeking perfection is our plan, not God’s.
He is perfect. We are not.
He wants us to rely on His strength to do all that He has planned for us.
His plan doesn’t require perfection. His plan requires love, trust, and obedience.
We are created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Ephesians 2:10
We can accomplish these good works. Us. His imperfect children. Only made perfect in Him.
