A Message for the Imperfect
Do you ever feel discouraged by your imperfections? You desire to improve yourself, you set goals, you make new commitments and you find yourself discouraged by your inability to keep them?
I’ve been there and still find myself there many days. But rather than be discouraged, I would like to share with you a way I reframe this discouragement. This realization of our imperfections is exactly what needs to happen, not the discouragement, but the acknowledgement of our weaknesses.
Realizing Our Weaknesses
Realizing our weaknesses is the reason why fasting is so good for us. Fasting brings our imperfections to the surface. Our flesh rebels against the discomfort of fasting. In fasting, we feel in a tangible way, the struggle with our human attachments and we learn to choose something above what we desire on a physical level. This strengthens our will. And a strengthened will is better able to form virtues.
Rather than growing in discouragement, consider your imperfections and weaknesses as a ticket to a deep transformative and authentic relationship with Jesus. As Christians, the goal in our pursuits is never merely self-improvement, while that is a good thing, we seek to attain a higher goal…intimacy with Christ.
Intimacy with Christ
Intimacy with Christ grows in authenticity. There should be no facade. No presenting ourselves to him in any way other than as we truly are…
Weak. Broken. Imperfect. Sinful.
Our world trains us to approach “the greats” among us with polished pristine versions of ourselves. Show up looking our best and leave the impression that we have it all together. If we show our weaknesses, they might abandon us. This is not how it is with God.
Though he is most deserving of the best, he wants us as we are. The greatest and most important person in the history of the world wants us to come to him messy and in need. We don’t approach this King already clean for he is the one who does the perfecting in us. After all, if we are already perfect, would we have need of a Savior? Our weakness, our brokenness, our imperfections, and our sins are the very reason he came. The ticket to our salvation is actually found in giving him our sin, how unbelievable is that?! He wants us to hand him our sin and in the most uneven exchange, he takes it on the cross and fills us with grace. Merciful, transformative, redemptive grace.
So, if you find yourself struggling with your lenten commitments or any other goal you have set for yourself, I would like to remind you, your struggle is an opportunity to enter more deeply into the transformative process, by humbling yourself before Him and proclaiming your need for Him.
Yes. Even for the smallest of things, proclaim this truth, “Lord, I am weak and need a Savior.”
Real and deep intimacy with Christ comes in moments of surrender such as these. And in this surrender, He gives us the grace which supernaturally strengthens our will to choose that which we do not have the ability to on our own.
“My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me.”
2 Corinthians 12:9
I encourage you, take every imperfection as an opportunity to grow in intimacy with Him. Surrender it to Him daily and see the incredible glory of his transforming power. When we are in the midst of our struggles, it is the perfect time to call out to him like Peter sinking in the waves…
“Lord, save me.” Matthew 14:30