if there was a club, we'd all have t-shirts

Recently, I've caught myself slightly irritated by the various songs that are coming out hosting lyrics pointing to people being perfect. We're not. You're not. I'm not. If we were all perfect, or if any of us were perfect, we'd never make mistakes or handle problems incorrectly. Our friends would never get hurt by something we say because we'd always know how to say things just the right way. We would never park even slightly crooked. And impatience would be a mystery to us. These things are just not the case.

And while I'm not condoning pointing out the flaws of others, these songs about perfection of any human are off key. God created us in our own imperfections so we would seek Him to become more like Him...He is perfection. We all have things we can tweak in our lives, even if we do follow all the ten commandments.

Take the rich young ruler for example. He comes to Jesus in Luke 18:18-23 and asks what more can he do. This guy is well off, he's kept the commandments, and still God has more for him to improve on. We do too.

It really does not matter whether people think you are a dreadful sinner or a perfect saint. You have room to improve. Don't let this discourage you, though--this is a good thing. The most successful people in life are the ones that set goals for themselves. If our goal is constantly becoming more and more like God, and if we are taking small steps at a time, but consistent steps nonetheless, then we will be successful in becoming closer to perfection.

Does this mean we'll be successful as in wealthy? Not necessarily. Does this mean we'll get all the attractive girls'/guys' attention? Nope. Does this mean we'll be the best at everything we do? Not that either.

Here's the key: you are the best you there is. This does not mean that you don't have room for improvement. I'm not talking about glamor and beauty, awards or success. You could be in a fire that deformed your face and limited many of your abilities. Would you have a purpose and would you still be productive and the best you? Indeed, you would. That's why the things we can change and improve about ourselves are mostly inside.

Don't worry about your complexion or physique. Health is important, but beyond that, we pressure ourselves too much into becoming something other than the creation we are. If we spent as much time on our inward failures as the ones we claim to have outwardly (i.e. unattractive, overweight, pale, etc.), we would be much better people.

You are weak. The good news is that God knows this. 2 Corinthians 12:9 says, "But he [Christ] said to me, '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." That's the pursuit we should have: acknowledging our weaknesses, allowing God to strengthen them, and allowing Him to receive the glory through it all.




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(Scripture referenced in text)
Luke 18:18-23
" 18 A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
19 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 20 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.’”

21 “All these I have kept since I was a boy,” he said.

22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

23 When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was very wealthy. 24 Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! 25 Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

26 Those who heard this asked, “Who then can be saved?”

27 Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”