Striving for Perfection
By Jamy Whitaker
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23
Perfect start to the day, quiet time in the Word before the rest of the family gets up. After a prayer, it’s time to wake up the kids – who happily rise from their beds, without a frown or grimace and put on the clothes laid out the night before. Breakfast of homemade cinnamon rolls warm from the oven await the family. Lunches and backpacks are out and ready to go. After finishing breakfast and cleaning up, the kids quickly get on their coats and shoes – conscious to help the younger ones, before giving big hugs and kisses and heading out with smiling faces to the bus.
Speaking of which, what is that noise? Could it be the bus? No, it’s the alarm clock, waking me from this “perfect” version of a morning in my mind, thrown off by the snooze. Yikes, now I’m late! No hope for a perfect day now.
You do not need to be a wife or mother to relate to this dream. We all strive to be the perfect wife, mom, Christian, etc. but that is not realistic or attainable. According to Romans, we have fallen short of the glory of God. Christ was the only One to walk the face of the earth sinless – perfect. However, do not lose hope; God’s mercies are new for us every day.
So even when you feel like you’ve failed before your day begins, God is willing to take the mess and refine it into something beautiful. Simply be willing to lay your imperfections at His feet and let Him mold and shape you exactly as He sees fit. Let His light shine through to others.
You and I don’t need to be perfect, just available and willing to be molded by the Master. Embrace who you are and live every day to bring glory to your Creator.
Spend some time today focusing on what you are doing right, instead of seeing your imperfections.
Dear Heavenly Father, I bring my imperfect self to You today. I ask that You take my shortcomings, faults and flaws and use them for Your purpose and plan. Help me to focus on what You would have me do and not get stuck on striving for perfection. I long to draw closer to You each and every day. May I be used to be a blessing and a light to someone today. In Jesus’ Precious Name, Amen.
© 2019 by Jamy Whitaker. All rights reserved.
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Originally published Monday, 30 May 2022.
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