Embracing imperfection

Perfection is highly over rated.  And it's not just over rated,  it perpetuates a lie.  The lie that it is what we do, and how we do it, that determines our worth.  This ungodly quest for perfection is the source of most of our stress and anxiety.  I am sorry if I offend, but the way I see it, perfectionists live in an "all about me' self centric universe.  A universe based on comparisons to others.  Those caught in the 'Perfectionist Vortex'  seem to need approval from others to validate their worth.


If we are driven by a need for perfection, then our sense of worth becomes  "IF "  based.   I feel good about myself and therefore worthy IF ...  if the house is  clean and everything is organized and in it's place,   or if the food is always delish (and of course whole food -organic healthy).  Or if the kids are smart, happy, and obedient little darlings.  Or If I get this job or promotion.  Or if I am a certain weight or size.   Or if I can be in a certain relationship.  And on and on and on we can go, like a non stop merry go round, wherever it stops, it is always about trying to be 'good enough' to be perfect in someone's eyes.   


It's high time to get off the merry go round  and stop trying to be good enough.  Because sadly, you never will be.  Your worth was never meant to be about what you do and how you do it.  Your worth is determined by one thing and one thing alone;  Jesus Christ. 

You are of infinite value to Jesus Christ.  He died for you.  He left the glory of heaven, the amazing splendor of sinless, no pain, no tears heaven and came down to live among His creation for 33 years, experiencing first hand what we experience, feeling what we feel.    He cried,  He was in agony, He rejoiced, He was tempted, and He was in unfathomable pain.  For YOU.  For ME.  For EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US .  And guess what...you didn't earn it.  You weren't good enough or perfect enough to earn this gift.  

Romans 5: 8 tells us "that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us".   While we were imperfect, broken, full of self and sin, He saw us and loved us anyway.  He sacrificed Himself because He saw our worth.   2 Corinthians 5: 21, says that He (God) made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.  He made us righteous not because we were deserving of it,  but because we were broken, in need, helpless, and unable to make ourselves worthy in any way.  And He loved us.  It is that love, and that love alone that makes us worthy,  infinitely worthy!  

And though we will continue to  stumble, and fall into sin and temptation, 1 John 1: 9 tells us He is faithful to forgive us when we confess our sins.  We are still imperfect people,  but now we are forgiven people, who base their sense of worth not in what other people tell us about ourselves, but in the one true authority on our self worth, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  

Perfection?  It is a joy robber, a liar, and ultimately a destroyer of our self worth, which is only meant to come from Jesus Christ.   So toss it out the door and embrace imperfection.
And while you are at it, do something really crazy, go mess up a room and invite someone over to see your mess.  Invite someone into your imperfection,  they just might thank you for it.  The courage you had to show your imperfection can become the impetus for others to get off the perfection merry go round, embrace their own unique, quirky imperfections,  and look to the Savior for their sense of worth.  








Authors note:
Our ultimate worth does come from His Son's death for us, but I believe we are to try to live a life worthy of that sacrifice, seeking to be pleasing to Him and be obedient to Him.  I believe it is not about being perfect in our eyes or anyone elses.  It is simply about trying our  best to serve God;  not our neighbors best, or what others see as best, but OUR best.  Our best will never save us, or make things perfect.  Our best will consist of  humbly trying to live a life in service, adoration and thankfulness to Him within the parameters of His word and the gifts and talents we have been given.  

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