Grace over perfection
As you may or may not know, I am a bit of a perfectionist. My perfectionism isn’t in everything, but I find that it comes out most intensely in the things that I care about the most. For example, in high school and college, I loved basketball, and it often became the area where my perfectionism was directed. Though it is completely unrealistic, I would strive to play the game perfectly. If I took 10 shots, I expected to make all 10. Realistically, though, even the best shooters of all time would be psyched to make even half of their shots! So for me, I could make 7 out of 10 shots, which would be fantastic by NBA standards, but instead of thinking I played great, I would focus on the three shots I missed… and be disappointed.
Again, this perfectionism shows up only in the things that I love. It shows up in woodworking; I could show you the things I’ve made for my house and point out every one of the flaws. It showed up when I was in seminary; I almost quit because my GPA was below where I expected it to be. It shows up in my parenting; I make mistakes in parenting and feel like I’m a failure. It even shows up in my position as a pastor, when I make what I perceive to be a “mistake,” which I can’t help but feel this morning! I love gathering together on Sundays, and to miss this morning makes me feel like I have done something “less than perfect.”
It’s amazing how quickly I can forget the truth of what God declares about us. Two weeks ago, we heard about God’s immeasurable grace, His incredible riches given to us in Christ, that we are forgiven of our sin and counted as holy and righteous in His sight because of what Christ has done for us! His death and resurrection have saved me from my sin and given me the hope of eternity with Him, where one day, I will actually be made perfect in every way!
Paul wrote, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). Simply by believing, I am made right before God, and this is all a gift from Him!
Yet my own perfectionism makes me focus on my own works. And when I focus on my own works, I miss out on living in the joy of His grace offered to me in faith. Instead of focusing on how God has blessed me and how He promises to lead, guide, and be present with me every day, the devil would rather have me focus on all of my shortcomings and be discouraged by them. Maybe the devil tempts you to do the same; maybe you hear his voice whispering to you, reminding you of the times you have been wrong or fallen short. And maybe you know just how frustrating this is.
But the fact of the matter is, I need God’s grace because I am not perfect on my own! He knows that, and I know that! And this is exactly why He has given me grace in Christ, so that I can know that even when I’ve fallen short of perfect, He still calls me His own. Even when I’m tempted to feel like I need to earn His grace, the cross reminds me that there is no need!
So today, I have to focus, yet again, on His incredible love and grace given to me in Christ. And today is another day for us all, even if we didn’t gather together, to remember that His mercy and grace never fail! By grace you have been saved through faith, and this isn’t from yourselves—it is a gift of God for you to enjoy and live in today!
God’s best to you this week as we rest in His grace together today!