Can I share something with you? I used to think that in order for me to bring God glory I needed to portray perfection. I tried to say all the right things, do all the right things, and be the all right things. Not only is this a crazy way of thinking, it’s also a lie the enemy tries to tell us. He would love nothing more than for us to fall into the trap of perfectionism.
Trying to portray perfection puts the focus on ourselves instead of Jesus.
The enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy. He would love nothing more than for us to fall into the trap of perfectionism. One of the ways he tries to do this is by shifting our focus. All it takes is for us to believe one of his sneaky little lies (Who do think are? Look at your past. They’ll never think your good enough.) and we are running around trying to look like we always have it together. By doing this we take the focus off of Jesus and put it on ourselves. Which is exactly what the enemy what the enemy wants.
Trying to portray perfection prevents others from seeing Christ’s power in us.
2 Corinthians 12:9 says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” The grace Jesus offers is all we need to bring God glory. Trying to be perfect will only prevent others from seeing his power in us. Think about it. A perfect person wouldn’t have any weaknesses. Therefore, they wouldn’t have anything to boast about.
Trying to portray perfection places an unnecessary burden around our necks.
If we want others to really see Jesus we need to take off the bulky yoke of perfectionism we’ve been wearing around our necks. In Galatians 5: 1 Paul reminds us, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Trying to be perfect is an exhausting way to live. In the end we will only enslave ourselves to the overwhelming pressure of trying to attain the unattainable.
So how do you take off the yoke? By accepting that Jesus is enough. When we rest in the truth that Jesus is all we need we are able to break free from the demands of perfectionism. We are no longer bogged down by needing to say, do, and be all of the right things. The urge to hide our weaknesses is replaced with the desire to boast about everything that Jesus has done. And we are free to let the love of Christ shine bright enough for all to see.
Aren’t you glad we don’t have to be perfect?
Because Jesus is perfect I don’t have to be.
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I am passionate about pointing others to the nourishing truth and wisdom found in God’s word. When I’m not writing you’ll probably find me working on a new arts and crafts project, hunting for vintage accessories, or planning my family’s next visit to the mountains. Visit my blog or follow my social media!
I am so blessed and encouraged to read such a wonderful Post. Thank you for sharing this beautiful truth that Jesus is perfect so we dont have to be. Blessings to you Kelly!