Accepting Imperfections
"I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may reside in me" (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Over the years I've learned to celebrate my imperfections. Indeed, I have a shopping list of imperfections that might read like an invitation to group therapy. And I'm OK with them now. But it took time.
Growing up with a harsh father shaped much of my thinking about myself as an adult, because I never was able to please him. I remember that if I came home from school with a B, my father would say I should have gotten an A. If I finished second in the 400 m sprint, I should have finished first. If my teacher said I was a great debater, instead of congratulating me about it, my dad would say, "why aren't you good at math?"
Years of such childhood programming resulted in a persistent sense of Unworthiness that I found hard to shake as an adult Christian. I condemned myself over every weakness in an attempt to satisfy some imaginary inner taskmaster. I did not permit myself to show weakness or exhibit failure. However, my efforts had the opposite effect, because failure plagued me perpetually As I started things I couldn't finish. I was so afraid to fail or not measure up to expectations, which produced a vicious cycle in my life.
Not so with the apostle Paul. In 2 Corinthians 12, he boasted about his weaknesses. It nearly sounds like he celebrated his flaws. But he didn't celebrate weakness for its own sake; rather, he knew that each one was an opportunity for God's power to be demonstrated in his life. Paul understood that human weaknesses made him totally dependent on God. He placed no emphasis on his elite Jewish lineage or his scholarly abilities. Paul's dependence on God‘s grace alone fueled his life and his ministry.
This was a Realization in my own life. I recognize that God did not expect perfection of me. Jesus already embodies that role. But what does He expect is my trust independence on him and every place I fall short. And because he knew my flowers before choosing me, there are completely unable to catch Him by surprise. My imperfections are heavenly opportunities for God's power and grace to shine through me. Now I don't have to waste my time trying to be perfect, because the only One who is perfect works out his perfection in me.
Lord, please shine through me!
Marsha Lyles
Taken from: Journey: A Women's Guide To Intimacy with God
Over the years I've learned to celebrate my imperfections. Indeed, I have a shopping list of imperfections that might read like an invitation to group therapy. And I'm OK with them now. But it took time.
Growing up with a harsh father shaped much of my thinking about myself as an adult, because I never was able to please him. I remember that if I came home from school with a B, my father would say I should have gotten an A. If I finished second in the 400 m sprint, I should have finished first. If my teacher said I was a great debater, instead of congratulating me about it, my dad would say, "why aren't you good at math?"
Years of such childhood programming resulted in a persistent sense of Unworthiness that I found hard to shake as an adult Christian. I condemned myself over every weakness in an attempt to satisfy some imaginary inner taskmaster. I did not permit myself to show weakness or exhibit failure. However, my efforts had the opposite effect, because failure plagued me perpetually As I started things I couldn't finish. I was so afraid to fail or not measure up to expectations, which produced a vicious cycle in my life.
Not so with the apostle Paul. In 2 Corinthians 12, he boasted about his weaknesses. It nearly sounds like he celebrated his flaws. But he didn't celebrate weakness for its own sake; rather, he knew that each one was an opportunity for God's power to be demonstrated in his life. Paul understood that human weaknesses made him totally dependent on God. He placed no emphasis on his elite Jewish lineage or his scholarly abilities. Paul's dependence on God‘s grace alone fueled his life and his ministry.
This was a Realization in my own life. I recognize that God did not expect perfection of me. Jesus already embodies that role. But what does He expect is my trust independence on him and every place I fall short. And because he knew my flowers before choosing me, there are completely unable to catch Him by surprise. My imperfections are heavenly opportunities for God's power and grace to shine through me. Now I don't have to waste my time trying to be perfect, because the only One who is perfect works out his perfection in me.
Lord, please shine through me!
Marsha Lyles
Taken from: Journey: A Women's Guide To Intimacy with God