I have been thinking lately about how most of my life I have been endeavoring to make peace with imperfection Whether it’s my own imperfection or the imperfection of those around me, imperfection exists in every single thing that has to do with this world. We live in a place that has been tainted with imperfection and I feel the tension of it. Many times I have tried to make peace with imperfection by trying harder to be perfect. I have often looked at people, situations, or things and hoped to find in them the perfection my heart was longing for. Over and over my heart is disappointed by this life and what it has to offer.
Life seems to always be like that, expectations never fully turn out the way I hope. It could be my natural bent toward gloom rather than sunshine, but I suppose God intends life to be disappointing in some ways. We live in an imperfect world, whether we are pre-disposed to see it or not.
There’s a blessing in this tendency to see life’s disappointments. My gaze is forced upward to the truly perfect.
I’ve just begun reading Jeremiah in the mornings and I am struck afresh by God’s words through Jeremiah in chapter 2.
for that which does not profit.
Be appalled, O heavens, at this;
be shocked, be utterly desolate,
declares the LORD,
for my people have committed two evils:
they have forsaken me,
the fountain of living waters,
and hewed out cisterns for themselves,
broken cisterns that can hold no water.
When you boil it all down, trying to make peace with imperfection in any way other than looking to Christ on the cross is idolatry. It’s making broken cisterns rather than drinking from the fountain of living water which will perfectly quench our thirst. God tells us that this is evil.
So here it is a new year again and my mind naturally tends to think about ways to improve this year. Growing in godliness is a good goal but longing to make peace with my imperfection is not unless I look to Christ who came to this earth and made the ultimate peace with imperfection through his sinless life, death, and resurrection. May my main goal this year be to wholeheartedly look to God and his answer for my imperfection. When I keenly feel the disappointment of imperfection may I reaffix my gaze on Him who is perfection himself and who made peace for this broken cistern.
From one broken cistern to another I wish this for you as well.
Comments
Jan. 4, 2009 - Amen!
Posted by baronsgirl
We have just been talking about this struggle with imperfection and ridiculous desire for perfection, which does not exist except in Christ, the Lord, His Word. How we let ourselves get sucked in, and feel discouragement, disappointment, even depressed by it all at times. Foolish! I know my deep need has been to truly delight in the Lord and His Word, which will keep my eyes fixed on Him and Truth. Thanks for this great post...as always, very good words of wisdom! Love you! ~Jodie