Defining Perfection
Worldly definition: Having all the required or desirable elements, qualities, or characteristics; as good as it is possible to be.
Godly definition: complete, entire, mature, making room for growth.
It's amazing how much the world influences us.. Think about it --> we wake up in the morning stressed out with what to wear or how our hair isn't working when we just end up comparing ourselves one way or another to our peers. Even when summer is appearing and our bodies are pale from the chilly winter or not in the best of shape we then become self-conscious. All of this creates negative air that instead of purifying our breathing, it diminishes our breathing. This wasted energy corrupts who we are created to be AND completely drives away the true definition of perfection. " To 'be perfect' in the sense that Jesus means it, is to make room for growth. for the change that brings us to the maturity, to ripeness. To mature is to lose adolescent self-conciousness so as to be able to make a gift of oneself, as a parent, teacher, friend, or spouse" (Norris, Amazing Grace).
Maybe I am the only one but the word 'perfect' exhausts me. Not in the way that I need to be perfect all the time, but hearing it everywhere I go. "This is perfect!" "He/She is perfect!" "There life is perfect!" What even is perfect?!?! OR the saying "Goals!" Say what? This is a great example of this generation. Saying "goals" is like telling God, "Your way for my life isn't cutting it, I would rather be like them. Thanks, Amen!" Each of us have one thing from God that separates ourselves from others, so why not express that unique gift!
Jesus even says, "If thou want to be perfect, go and sell all you have, and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven" (Matthew 19:21 KJV). Why does Jesus tell us this? Because if we give away all we have and make a difference into another life then we have matured in who we are. You can also think about it like this: when you begin to take away things in your life it is then you begin to grow within yourself and in Christ without all of the material things becoming barriers. Sound familiar? Hint: definiton. "Perfection, in a Christian sense, means becoming mature enough to give ourselves to others" (Norris, Amazing Grace". The moment you begin to cast out temporary things in your life is when you begin to live eternally!!
We are two months into 2016 and it is not too late to have a resolution! Let February 22 be the day we no longer say "perfect" unless it is in spiritual terms. Let February 22 be the day we stop comparing ourselves to others. & Let February 22 be the day we say, "Lord I am who I am because of who You are. Allow my true self be a testimony to others."
BE YOURSELF FRIENDS!
I am grateful and He is gracious.
XO
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