Speak to My Soul Devotional – No Perfect People

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for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ~ Romans 3:23 (NIV)
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It strikes me funny that there is so much emphasis on being perfect! Think about it there’s something that compels us to try to be perfect at whatever we do. For some of us we even try to be the most perfect Christian we can be. Now, don’t get me wrong, we should absolutely try to be the best we can be for God (He certainly deserves it) but I’m not talking about that, I’m talking about that drive that makes us think we are the “Patty Perfect Christian”. For those of us whose husbands are called to be Pastor’s you can add this in that little phrase “Patty Perfect Pastor’s Wife”. Ouch! That’s a hard one to live up to, isn’t it ladies?

Believe me, I’ve tried. For so many years I tried to wear that “perfect” Christian hat. Unfortunately that’s just not going to happen (not in this lifetime that is). It’s strange, but in my quest to be that Patty Perfect Pastor’s wife I lost myself, and while I lost myself I also lost any sense of what God’s best really is. You see, it’s not about being the PERFECT Christian, because I have to tell you that it is written that this is never going to happen. Check out this verse in Romans 3:23 (NIV) ~ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

You see friends, there are NO PERFECT PEOPLE, and as soon as we start to grasp this concept maybe, just maybe we can all lay down the masks that we are wearing to protect ourselves and really start to love each other. It is going to hurt some, I won’t try to sugar coat it for you, but to really reach out and be all that God has created you to be you and I are going to have to realize that we “ALL” fall short. Not some of us, not you, not just me, but ALL of us.

This is not an easy concept to grasp, especially in today’s society, but I have to tell you this, it is completely liberating to shift gears from what society wants (or expects) me to do and really focus on being who I am in Him. Let’s face it…people are messy. Chances are that you are a lot like me, you’ve been beaten down (not physically, but for some of you this is a reality), bruised, broken, and hurt by people. You’ve trusted, reached out, shared, cared, and loved on others and they’ve let you down in more ways than you can count.

Am I right?

It hurts.

I know.

I’ve been there and will probably be there again.

Does that mean that we give up on people?

Or do we finally accept that there are NO PERFECT PEOPLE?

When we grab hold of this concept that “There is no one righteous, not even one;” ~ Romans 3:10 (NIV) it makes it so much easier to let go of the expectations (because let’s face it…we have them) we have on others and really just meet them where they are.

Listen, I know it won’t be easy. Trust me, I know. I’ve been on the receiving end of more than my fair share of “bad things” but each and every day I am trying (key word here) to meet people where there are, because that’s exactly what I would want from them. Does it mean that I go into every relationship with blinders on to the “dangers” that lie ahead? No, not at all, that would be really naive of me, but I do take off the blinders and ask God to guide me on letting go of my own expectations and just give it to Him.

Will I be hurt again? Probably!

Will I give up trying? Nope!
At this point you are probably shaking your head and going “why Melissa, why?” to which I would point you right back to my life verse which is Acts 20:24 – But my life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus – the work of telling others the Good News about God’s wonderful kindness and love

God is SO worth whatever I have to go through, don’t you think?

I’m called to love on His people and yes, that gets messy at times, but by accepting people where they are, realizing that we ALL fall short, and understanding that there are NO PERFECT PEOPLE sets us up to be used by God in mighty ways!

Besides…you & I may just be surprised at what happens, even when we don’t expect it.

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Come back to Mel’s World this week as I share a truly inspiring story of faith, family, and friends that knocked my socks off. Let’s just say that God has really opened my eyes to see the beauty in people a lot lately. I’ll give you a hint…it has to do with a boy, a washing machine, and his iPod Touch!

Seeking JOY on the Journey,

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2 Comments

  1. Great post, Mel!! Perfection is such a struggle for so many of us. We don’t want people to see our flaws…and then I think we purposely find flaws in others in hopes of making ourselves look better.

    Hugs

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