Perfect!
08/03/09 12:00 Filed in: Fitting in, diet, appearance, self esteem, pride, starving, vanity, relationships
Perfect .... What exactly does it mean to be perfect? Being perfect is being free from any flaws or defects, so what is it about being perfect that we are so eager to become? Is there anything that's perfect anymore? Let's not kid ourselves, being perfect is only a side street on the road to fitting in!
Consider the things we swear are perfect? How about that couple that looked so great on the outside and always seemed to have "goo-goo eyes" for each other, and we swore they were "the Perfect couple", yet they ended their relationship in a bitter divorce.
What about when you look in the mirror and see an image of something "other than perfection", yet are determined to do whatever technology will offer to conform that image into perfection! Think about it .... women and young girls are flocking in unprecedented numbers to radically alter their bodies in pursuit of perfection through breast implants, teeth whitening, tummy tucks and face lifts; while men are striving to climb the corporate ladder yet out perform their neighbors by buying a bigger house, a newer Escalade with 32 inch spinning rims & more televisions than a department store, a bigger boat, advanced college degrees, and a young knock-out wife or girlfriend with big hair!
It's interesting that while growing up, we learned to study hard for tests and do well in school. Yet there was always an inherent punishment for cheating the system and using others information. On one hand, we were taught that if we used another persons information improperly, we were punished for "plagiarism"; yet when we grew up and used someone else's information improperly, we were rewarded and called it "industry best practices!"
What is it that drives us towards being perfect? Have you ever considered your own personal relationships and where they stand today? For men, there's the never ending pursuit of being a "bread winner" and earning respect from our peers, yet for women, there's an internal desire to be accepted as "beautiful and secure." Although this is generally true of men and women, it's not always the case with every person.
I'm convinced there is only one who is perfect and has never made a mistake, never told a lie, never failed in anything He has ever set out to do, and that is God. Listen, The Bible has many things to say in describing God and His only Son Jesus Christ.
There are several realities that cause us to recognize when we are not perfect, yet often times we are driven to perfection as a means of performance. Anytime we fail to perform at a given level, we are confronted with the knowledge that we missed the mark! It's during these times that someone usually has something sarcastic or slick to say that upsets us. Our natural defense is to protect ourselves through hiding, therefore we say, "Don't judge me!" or "Who are you to judge me?"
Jesus Christ taught us about judgement of others, yet we mis-quote the Bible (especially those who reject Jesus Christ) for the benefit of protecting our own interests.
Matthew 7:1-2, "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (NIV)
For whatever reason, we seem to forget the second verse as a matter of convenience as we judge. Jesus Christ made it clear that we are to judge righteously the fruits, not the salvation of a person! Far too often as followers of Jesus Christ, we get so over-zealous and radical that we manipulate an intimidate others into following Jesus Christ--THAT IS BOGUS, and only limits true followers of Christ into the same category as every other fraud in the world!
It is not now, nor will it ever be yours or my responsibility to save anyones soul. I assure you, No One will go kicking and screaming into Heaven! Get this through your head--Only Jesus Christ saves souls. He reminded us of this fact in John 12:32 when He said, "But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Myself." (NIV).
In our over indulgence and saturated desire to be perfect, we have forgotten that in our skin, we simply will not be perfect! The fact that God didn't wait for us to obtain perfection, He demonstrated His own love for us by sending His only Son Jesus Christ to die for us. I'm amazed that He created so many cultures, races and creeds and I'm convinced God wanted us to learn His perfect love through a connected relationship with Him and everyone else.
Do you want to be a perfect man? Try loving your wife or girlfriend like yourself! Try loving your momma and daddy! Try loving your boss who ticks you off, or better yet try loving a person from a racial background that you don't like!
Do you want to be a perfect woman? Try loving you husband regardless of his attitude, try loving your friend that just stabbed you in the back, try loving your boyfriend that just lied to you, or better yet try loving a person from a racial background that you despise!
None of this is easy or possible without the love of Jesus Christ living in you, and His love can't live in you unless you invite Him in. If you want a brand new start and a fresh beginning, give up running and give Jesus Christ your life right now. Admit to Him that you've done many wrong things and need His forgiveness, Invite Him to be your Lord and Savior and give you a desire to know Him. If you prayed this with sincerity in your heart, you are a brand new person!
Please post your comment on my BLOG and let me know your decision so I can pray for you. Be encouraged!
Egypt McKee
Author, Speaker & Pastor
from the book: Life. The Struggle Within
www.EgyptMcKee.com | www.LifeTheStruggleWithin.com
www.OutOfEgypt.com | www.myspace.com/ooem
©2007 Copyright, Egypt McKee. All Rights Reserved.
DISCLAIMER: This devotional is copyright protected and may be re-posted and distributed only when all material including title, content, author, copyright statement, and disclaimer statement is included and visibly displayed with all content. All other uses must be obtained with the expressed written consent of Egypt McKee and AuthorHouse Publishing | www.EgyptMcKee.com
Consider the things we swear are perfect? How about that couple that looked so great on the outside and always seemed to have "goo-goo eyes" for each other, and we swore they were "the Perfect couple", yet they ended their relationship in a bitter divorce.
What about when you look in the mirror and see an image of something "other than perfection", yet are determined to do whatever technology will offer to conform that image into perfection! Think about it .... women and young girls are flocking in unprecedented numbers to radically alter their bodies in pursuit of perfection through breast implants, teeth whitening, tummy tucks and face lifts; while men are striving to climb the corporate ladder yet out perform their neighbors by buying a bigger house, a newer Escalade with 32 inch spinning rims & more televisions than a department store, a bigger boat, advanced college degrees, and a young knock-out wife or girlfriend with big hair!
It's interesting that while growing up, we learned to study hard for tests and do well in school. Yet there was always an inherent punishment for cheating the system and using others information. On one hand, we were taught that if we used another persons information improperly, we were punished for "plagiarism"; yet when we grew up and used someone else's information improperly, we were rewarded and called it "industry best practices!"
What is it that drives us towards being perfect? Have you ever considered your own personal relationships and where they stand today? For men, there's the never ending pursuit of being a "bread winner" and earning respect from our peers, yet for women, there's an internal desire to be accepted as "beautiful and secure." Although this is generally true of men and women, it's not always the case with every person.
I'm convinced there is only one who is perfect and has never made a mistake, never told a lie, never failed in anything He has ever set out to do, and that is God. Listen, The Bible has many things to say in describing God and His only Son Jesus Christ.
There are several realities that cause us to recognize when we are not perfect, yet often times we are driven to perfection as a means of performance. Anytime we fail to perform at a given level, we are confronted with the knowledge that we missed the mark! It's during these times that someone usually has something sarcastic or slick to say that upsets us. Our natural defense is to protect ourselves through hiding, therefore we say, "Don't judge me!" or "Who are you to judge me?"
Jesus Christ taught us about judgement of others, yet we mis-quote the Bible (especially those who reject Jesus Christ) for the benefit of protecting our own interests.
Matthew 7:1-2, "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (NIV)
For whatever reason, we seem to forget the second verse as a matter of convenience as we judge. Jesus Christ made it clear that we are to judge righteously the fruits, not the salvation of a person! Far too often as followers of Jesus Christ, we get so over-zealous and radical that we manipulate an intimidate others into following Jesus Christ--THAT IS BOGUS, and only limits true followers of Christ into the same category as every other fraud in the world!
It is not now, nor will it ever be yours or my responsibility to save anyones soul. I assure you, No One will go kicking and screaming into Heaven! Get this through your head--Only Jesus Christ saves souls. He reminded us of this fact in John 12:32 when He said, "But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Myself." (NIV).
In our over indulgence and saturated desire to be perfect, we have forgotten that in our skin, we simply will not be perfect! The fact that God didn't wait for us to obtain perfection, He demonstrated His own love for us by sending His only Son Jesus Christ to die for us. I'm amazed that He created so many cultures, races and creeds and I'm convinced God wanted us to learn His perfect love through a connected relationship with Him and everyone else.
Do you want to be a perfect man? Try loving your wife or girlfriend like yourself! Try loving your momma and daddy! Try loving your boss who ticks you off, or better yet try loving a person from a racial background that you don't like!
Do you want to be a perfect woman? Try loving you husband regardless of his attitude, try loving your friend that just stabbed you in the back, try loving your boyfriend that just lied to you, or better yet try loving a person from a racial background that you despise!
None of this is easy or possible without the love of Jesus Christ living in you, and His love can't live in you unless you invite Him in. If you want a brand new start and a fresh beginning, give up running and give Jesus Christ your life right now. Admit to Him that you've done many wrong things and need His forgiveness, Invite Him to be your Lord and Savior and give you a desire to know Him. If you prayed this with sincerity in your heart, you are a brand new person!
Please post your comment on my BLOG and let me know your decision so I can pray for you. Be encouraged!
Egypt McKee
Author, Speaker & Pastor
from the book: Life. The Struggle Within
www.EgyptMcKee.com | www.LifeTheStruggleWithin.com
www.OutOfEgypt.com | www.myspace.com/ooem
©2007 Copyright, Egypt McKee. All Rights Reserved.
DISCLAIMER: This devotional is copyright protected and may be re-posted and distributed only when all material including title, content, author, copyright statement, and disclaimer statement is included and visibly displayed with all content. All other uses must be obtained with the expressed written consent of Egypt McKee and AuthorHouse Publishing | www.EgyptMcKee.com