I am one of those individuals that cringe when I make a mistake. I feel as if I haven’t done my best if someone can point out a mistake. I have found myself going over something to the point that it becomes redundant and mundane and will discard it all together. I have found myself wanting to make it perfect of error, content and feeling only to find that it has lost its feel and purpose.
That’s what happens to our lives when we seek to be perfect in the eye of man. You were created in perfection but not required to be perfect. Many times we get so caught up in doing the “perfect” thing or “being” the perfect person that we lose sight of who we are and what we were called to do in this world.
“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:48
Many would assume by that scripture, we are called to be perfect. Well in a way we are but not how you think!! We have to look at the actual meaning of the word intended in this scripture verses our everyday use of the word in order to get a clear understanding of what we are being told.
Webste
r defines perfect as to “make something completely free from faults or defect or as close to such a condition as possible”. Whereas in this scripture the definition is “to be complete or finished”. So this scripture is actually saying “Be complete, therefore, as your heavenly Father is complete. But what does that actually mean? It means that you have to surrender your will to God and allow Him to make you into what he created you to be in the first place. Whether you use Webster’s definition or the biblical definition; when you submit your will to Him, then and only then can you be anywhere near perfect.
You can never be free of fault or defect doing things on your own. Before you were born there was a purpose set forth in the atmosphere for you to complete (perfect) but without the instruction and guidance from the one that created you, you will NEVER be able to complete the task.
Here’s one more scripture for you to look at:
“My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
Again this scripture shows that we can only be perfect (complete or free from fault or defect) except by grace. Now this of course is my belief system. But let’s just say you don’t believe that God’s grace will sustain you and you don’t believe there is power in weakness. We’ve all encountered a person that know something about everything. If you’re like me you tend to run from that type of person especially if you can’t see the evidence of what they proclaim to know happening in their own lives. That’s the same thing with our own perfection. When you proclaim to be perfect and know everything you are actually telling people that you don’t need their help. And most people will allow you the opportunity to handle it yourself. But when you ask for help, accepting that you don’t have the answer and are not perfect in a certain area, people are more apt to assist you and help you find the answer you desire. So in your weakness (or lack of knowledge) you are made perfect or complete (through the help of others).
Never cringe or give up because you didn’t do something perfect. Take the time to learn from it therefore moving to a better understanding of the task. Ultimately it’s called GROWTH!!!
One of the most liberating things I’ve learned is to know I don’t have to be perfect in this imperfect world. Just be consistent and faithful.
~insert from “What Your Hiding is Hindering Your Blessings”
