The 'pursuit of perfection' is a catchy phrase in which I have written several little blurbs and blog postings. Clearly, it is an area of struggle in my life and I thank God it is steadily becoming an area of transformation, redemption and victory. I have consistently struggled to look perfect, act perfect, be perfect.
Until recently, I did not fully understand why I so eagerly yearned to be perfect. Why was my driving force one of such self-centered destruction?
Just yesterday, I met my dad's cousin, Gary, for the first time as an adult. He is one anointed man of God. 'Blessed' does not even remotely describe or explain my day hanging out with Gary, touring downtown Atlanta, lunch with he and JohnMark, and visiting Brenda's third grade classroom. Meeting family in Georgia was so wonderful! Driving from destination to destination may not seem like a very impactful experience, but the presence of God was so clear; He used my distant relative to speak truth into my life. Truth that led to freedom from that pursuit of perfection.
"You don't have to earn God's approval."
"You're accepted."
I had heard those words several times. This time, those words sparked something deep in my heart. The lens in which I view myself dictates my interpretation of and reaction to the world around me.
My expectations for myself are seriously unattainable. I unfairly appraoch the world in the same manner. The more grace I receive from God, the more grace I can extend to others and even myself. Perfectoin is not the goal. Honoring and glorifying God is the goal.
I don't have to try. I don't have to be someone or something I'm not. I can come as I am, brokenness and all. Jesus is enough. He chose death to save me...the real me. And he did so for you.
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