Perspective on Perfect

 

  Yesterday in Sunday school we continued our lesson on Living the Extraordinary life.  In Matthew 5:43-48 it talks about be perfect as our Heavenly Father is perfect.  Of course in most humans minds, we think perfection is flawless.  That's what we've been taught, shown, or told.  I remember growing up, my mom was really picky about cleaning.  If it wasn't done right or thoroughly enough, you had to do it as many times as it took to get it "perfect".  I carried on that trait in many things I do.  I've been a bit OCD about it honestly.

  When you start having kids, it's tougher to be "perfect".  When you clean it only stays that way for a few minutes.  I would get so aggravated after I had Tyler.  Everything had to be put back in it's place and stay there.  With kids that doesn't happen very often.  My boys have taught me that cleaning and having things look "perfect" just isn't the way to live.  It's the moments you should cherish.  I used to hear this as well, "If Jesus were to walk into your house right now, would you be embarrassed?"  I really think that fueled my OCD out of control.  Of course I'd be embarrassed!  God is perfect!  The thing is, He already sees everything.  Now that I know God a bit better, I really don't think He cares about the toys thrown all over or the little bit of dust on the shelf.  I think He's more worried about the hearts living in this home.  Should we take care of our houses and things?  Absolutely, but it doesn't need to be flawless.

  I was also asked as I was growing up, if Jesus looked at your heart, would you be ashamed by what He saw?  This right here is why people try to hide things from God.  When I was living wrong, I never talked to God because in my mind He would be angry and ashamed of me.  That's why I stayed away for so long in my teen years.  I was ashamed of myself that I couldn't handle the guilt of knowing what God thought of me.  God already sees our hearts, our motives, everything we do, have done, or will ever do.  He knows ALL.  You know what?  He loves you anyway. 

  My power thought for week 2 is, "God loves me unconditionally."  God loves you because of WHO you are, not because of what you DO.  One of the exercises was to write a line down the middle of a piece of paper.  On one side write who you are in Christ according to the Bible, on the other side write down the things you do good or bad.  When you're done, rip up the DO side and throw it away.  It doesn't matter what you do, God forgives you for that, what matters to Him is WHO you are and you are HIS.  You are at the right hand of God next to Jesus.  We are sons and daughters of a King.  That's who we are.  We should be walking tall not walking slumped over overwhelmed with guilt and shame all the time.  Funny how religion can make you feel so bad by what they teach at times.  The scare tactics that are used to get you to come to Jesus.  That's why I dislike religion, it separates you from God.

  So what is perfection in God's eyes then?  According to Matthew 5, loving everyone and following after God.  Growing and maturing spiritually.  Living your life focused on Him.  That sounds so much easier than trying to be flawless.  You can't escape your flaws, and honestly I'd like to call them quirks not flaws.  God made us perfectly perfect.  Obviously we are human still and have that sinful side, but God did make us perfect.  After realizing all this, I felt a huge burden lifted off of my shoulders.  I don't have to try anymore!!  My house doesn't need to look like a magazine cover.  I don't need to be OCD about cleaning.  I now have time to enjoy my life more.  I think that we get so focused on our material things that we lose sight of what our purpose here really is.  Loving everyone and spreading kindness.  Just loving on people and showing through your actions WHO God is.

"I want you as you are, not as you ought to be
Won't you lay down your guard and come to me
The shame that grips you now is crippling
It breaks my heart to see you suffering

Cause I am for you
I'm not against you

If you wanna know
How far my love can go
Just how deep, just how wide
If you wanna see
How much you mean to me
Look at my hands, look at my side
If you could count the times I'd say you are forgiven
It's more than the drops in the ocean..."

-Hawk Nelson "Drops in the Ocean"