Adorably Perfect

Perfectionism, in its most extreme form, says that anything which is not perfect is unacceptable.

If perfectionists are over the top, then why do we think it important to have our hair and makeup perfect...our clothes, shoes and bag perfect and of course our car perfect.  Really what we mean by "perfect" stems from our idea of what we think we should be...what we should look like...what others think of us.  We want to be the top of the top in everything we do because that would mean we could accept ourselves as complete.

The Book of James, once my most hated book of the Bible, has since become one of my favorites.  James writes that there is a perfect work God does in each of us and it comes through patience.  If we are to be perfect as God is perfect, and it is a command, then we are in a world of trouble.  But the key is to walk in love as He IS LOVE.  If God could be summed up in one word, it is LOVE.  That is why James said we are not to judge because judging is evidence we are not walking in love.

We all know the scripture which tells us to love God, our neighbor and ourselves.  The entirety of the Bible can be summed up with this one "love" command.

I would have to say that many perfectionists are fearful people, but God's perfect love casts out fear.   It is not about the grade you make, the clothes you wear or what others think of you.  It is about looking into the Law of Liberty and seeing ourselves for who we are...loved of God so we can love others.

We can accept ourselves because God has accepted us.  He didn't short change us in a particular area we struggle in, he gifted us in another.  That gift is perfect when God gets his hands on it.  It is perfect for the purposes he has in our lives.  It is perfect because He loved you enough to specially pick it out like a loving Father picks out just the right gift for his adorably perfect girl.

 You see, in His eyes, he saw you through LOVE.  Yes, he knew you were not perfect, that is why the perfect sacrifice was made on your behalf.  He accepted you because He loved you.  If He can accept you, then perhaps you should not see yourself as unacceptable.

God's love is amazing.  It spurs on the faint of heart to trust Him when He asks you to do something impossible. His love helps you get out of your comfort zone (i.e. the fearful zone) because you have a loving Father who is cheering you on even when you are less than perfect.

Remember, loving yourself is one of the top three commands God gave!

James 1:4

"But let patience have [her] perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."

James 1:17

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning."

James 1:25

 "But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth [therein], he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed."