Reading an article last Friday morning titled, “There Is No Such Thing as a Perfect Decision” reality finally hit me. There is no such thing as perfect.
When I was younger I was a self-proclaimed perfectionist. I demanded more from myself than anyone else and my standards were impossible. I left no room for errors, honestly believing all I needed to do was avoid messing up.
The problem is, for us humans, this isn’t possible.
Lie #1. I can attain perfection by avoiding messing up.
Can you drive car with crooked alignment down the road straight if you try really earnestly? What if it doesn’t have a connected steering wheel?
You might avoid crashing for a while, but eventually, I guarantee you, that car will crash.
Truth: We were broken from the start.
We were not born into this world empty canvases waiting to be freshly painted by a talented hand or doomed to be splattered by the problems we face.
We are not fresh clay misshapen by our darkest circumstances hoping for bright ones to undo the damages of our pasts.
We are each born broken.
A long time ago, God created the earth and made us perfect, calling His creation good, (Genesis 1:31). We had a relationship with him and one another that fully satisfied our purpose. (And when I say us, I mean humanity, but more literally I’m talking about Adam and Eve. Humans #1 & 2.)
We disobeyed God and received the consequence: Separation from him, and brokenness.
“For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23
Lie #2. We can attain perfection if we try hard enough or work together.
Have you ever broken a bone? Imagine you broke both your arms. Bare with me here. Imagine both bones in both of your arms are cracked right down the middle, bending out of place under your skin.
Can you fix yourself?
Can 12 other humans who also have broken arms fix you?
Truth: We aren’t living in a world that has the potential to restore itself back to perfection.
Only someone perfect has the ability to create perfection.
Only GOD has the ability to take what is broken and restore it to perfection.
What does this mean?
We don’t have to struggle each day in fear of making mistakes; we are going to make mistakes.
That’s a guarantee.
(I hate it too, but denial will not bring you freedom.)
Freedom is trusting in the One who is perfect.
Whatever decisions we make in life, about our cars or houses or jobs or relationships, every single choice will come with its own set of faults and struggles because it’s filled with imperfect people in a broken world.
But that doesn’t mean you can make the best choice, or the wisest choice.
It simply means that your best choice and wisest choice do not mean the perfect choice, and they won’t while we live on this earth.
But we have hope.
Out of His love, God is making us new through Jesus. He won’t stop until His work is finished in you.
“He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” Psalm 23:3
This is my hope as I face a reality where I can’t be perfect: through Christ God is making me new and there will be a day I am made new and perfect.
Until that day, God promises to take care of me through whatever. He promises His love and good gifts, including wisdom and strength and comfort. He promises to work all things together for my good.
Life is going to be messy, but God will never change.
He will never leave me nor forsake me, and that is the greatest hope I could ever ask for.
Read: Streams in the Desert
what leah learned 