Why Do I Think I Need to Be So Perfect?
At the end of every day, I always have a list of stuff I did wrong and a list of stuff I should have done but didn’t. I just can’t seem to get it all just right.
There’s always something about me that needs to be fixed.
This has been one of those ongoing thoughts I’ve struggled with for a long time now. Everybody seems to be showing me how to change and grow–first my parents, then school, ministry training, college, and even church.
Everybody seems to think I need to change. So, naturally, I start to think I need to be perfect.
Yesterday, a pastor I know shared a very interesting analogy with me. He said that sometimes in our relationship with God, we see ourselves as shipwreckred, struggling to stay above water and gasping our last breath. Right then, at the last moment, Jesus throws us a life preserver and we hold onto it for dear life.
But that’s not what scripture teaches. The Bible says that there is nothing good in us and we were completely dead because of sin. Salvation is a gift, freely given, not earned! (Romans 3:12 is a good reminder for me.) We’re not called to live perfect lives–just humble, devoted lives.
So why do I think I need to be so perfect? Lord, remind me that I cannot and will never get it all just right. My life–and my ministry–is completely dependent on you. Thank you for choosing imperfect me to be an instrument of your love!
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Hey, i can completely relate with this post. For me its one of the hardest things to get past, my imperfectness. Its even harder being a youth leader with this mentality. I know that i can never be enough or do enough to satisfy so the only thing to do is be totally reliant on God. Thank you for this post, part of this battle is feeling like the only one who thinks they should be so perfect, but today i know im not. Thanks and God bless.
Hey Rose, thanks for sharing. I hear you. I’m at that same place a lot. Praise God for His limitless grace and endless faithfulness!! I don’t know how but somehow we’ve made it so easy to focus on ourselves instead of the Lord…