perfectly imperfect

I'm sure that most people who attended this weekend missed the video that played during the "five-minute countdown" before the celebration began. Brad Wise, our creative director, wrote the text for it. Check it out...

Release...
take a deep breath in...
and release...
feels good doesn't it?
try closing your eyes for a few seconds
and listen to the piano...
what if we let go?
...stopped trying to be perfect
...stopped chasing something that doesn't exist.
because the truth is...
we will never look "perfect"
our job will never be "perfect"
our families will never act "perfectly"
nor will our church...
what does that even mean? "perfect"...?
he perfect house,
spouse,
kids,
life...
they don't exist.
relationships are not perfect...
and in theory we know that...
yet we want them to be…
and get frustrated when they aren't.
we hold grudges for others' imperfections...
for their mistakes.
we carry with us disappointments...
and let downs caused by imperfections.
we carry regret...
for not being the perfect friend
for being the imperfect spouse
for demanding from our kids what we can't provide...
perfection.
we carry guilt...
for our imperfect faith...
our imperfect past...
what if you let the regret go...
release...
take a deep breath in...
and release...
God doesn't want your perfection...
He doesn't demand what you cannot give.
he just wants your faith...
your trust...
your belief that Jesus' sacrifice makes you perfect.
perfectly broken...
perfectly human...
perfectly forgiven...
perfectly loved...
by the only One who provides what we all desire...
perfection.


I like that thought: exhale.

It was a perfect sacrifice by a perfect person to perfect some very imperfect people. By that single offering, he did everything that needed to be done for everyone who takes part in the purifying process. Hebrews 10:14 (Message Bible).

How are you dealing with perfectionism?