Life is imperfect. As hard as we work to make things perfect, they never will be. Why? Earth is not a perfect place. As Christians, awaiting for Christ’s return, we must adjust our mindset and how we view life. Life is imperfect. We are imperfect. We must learn to find contentment in imperfections. If we don’t, we will never be happy.
Lately, the Lord has been highlighting my controlling, demanding, anxious ways. These ways are after perfection. We control, demand, and are anxious, because we’re desiring perfection- or what we picture as perfection. Without even realizing it, we don’t see that our ways are causing us stress.
The issue is in our mindset, our values, and our standards. We must adjust our mindset to accept that life isn’t perfect. We must drop the standard of perfection, and walk in grace. Chasing perfection is wearing us out and causing unnecessary stress to those around us. We mustn’t value things and order, over people. Priorities are key. When Jesus was asked the greatest commandment of all, He didn’t say:
– be the best
– work hard
– succeed
– conquer
– be perfect
Though this tends to be our focus, those aren’t the best things. When asked this question [Matthew 22:37-39], “Jesus said unto him,”:
“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”
Emphasis:
LOVE.
We must adjust how we live, and prioritize love. Instead of chasing perfection, love. Instead of discontentment, we must learn how to be content in whatever circumstance we find ourselves in [Philippians 4:11]. Not easy, but you know what? Christ strengthens us to do what honors Him [Philippians 4:13].
What imperfections bother you?
I encourage you to really take the time to answer this. The answer will show you where you’re really at. Then, you’ll be in a position to focus on changing. No matter where you find yourself, God is not done with you. He will not leave you there. I believe that God has a good plan for each of us, we’re just not in control of the process. We must learn to trust the process.
John 15 is an excellent chapter to read in order to understand how dependent we are on God. We are not in control. Trying to control only brings stress. We must learn how to depend on God. John 15:5 tells us that as we abide in Him, we will bring forth much fruit; but apart from Him we can do nothing.
He is our source.
He is our source for producing, as well as abiding. Only He can empower us to abide and be content in Him. As we do, we’ll find that we are indeed able to find contentment in imperfections.
I believe that as we grow in these areas, we begin to enjoy the sweetness of life. Life is not sweet because of things or perfection (as we know perfection doesn’t exist here), life is sweet because of love.
I encourage you to taste and see.
“O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.”
– Psalm 34:8
This is not an overnight change, but a continual change. I pray that we all remain committed to the process of relinquishing control, desiring perfection, and begin to find contentment in imperfections.
With love,
