Perfection, Favoritism, and Always Falling Short

I'm a bit of a perfectionist. And when I say a bit, I mean a lot. I seek to be perfect in everything I do, whether it be in something small, like my handwriting, or something big, like my walk with God. I am very quick to always find the "wrongs" and the "mess-ups" in my work, rather than the "rights." I always see improvement needed to make my life more efficient, neat, and "perfect."

Unfortunately, because we are humans, perfection is not possible. But what else could Christianity be? Christians are imperfect people striving towards perfection. However, when we don't reach perfection (because we won't), that doesn't mean we need to beat ourselves down about it.

God doesn't expect us to be perfect. We all fall short of His infinite glory. We don't need to compare ourselves to others in who is more "perfect" than another. We all struggle with different aspects of life. Just because someone's life looks perfect from the outside or on social media, that doesn't portray their whole life. That doesn't portray their sin, or their struggles and trials. God isn't going to pick and choose favorites between all the sinful beings in the world. Romans 2:11 says, "For God shows no partiality." In other versions, it may say, "For God does not show favoritism."

We don't need to fight to get God's attention with our good works and perfection. We have his attention already. He will forgive our mistakes and sins, both big and small. He will cleanse us from our unrighteousness. All we have to do is come to Him.

I'm going to keep seeking perfection in all I do. However, sometimes we need to give ourselves some grace too. God forgives our mistakes. During this Easter season, we can remember Jesus died on the cross for our sake. As Christians, let's be a body of imperfect, yet genuine, people, striving for perfection in God's eyes.

His Grace Upon Grace Upon Grace

There is one thing we all have in common: sin. Whether you are a Christian or not, none of us are perfect. We all mess up and make mistakes. I believe that sin, although it isn't good in itself, can unite Christians together in prayer and in day-to-day life.

As Christians, we may not be very similar. We have different personalities, interests, and hobbies. But we all have a need for Christ. However, we need Him because we sin. If we were perfect, we wouldn't need a Savior.

Even as someone who strives to be my best for myself and my best for Christ, as Romans 3:23 says, I will always fall short. As much as I try not to, sometimes I mess up. We all fall into sin at points and times. And it's easy to get caught in the guilt of it all. But have you ever read Romans 3:24? "And are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus..."  Yes we all sin, but we still receive grace, grace, and more grace.

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines grace as, "unmerited divine assistance given to humans for their regeneration or sanctification." It's unmerited. We're undeserving of God's grace. But guess what? He gives it away anyways. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."

We are saved by grace. That means we don't need to have guilt for the sins we commit. In Hebrews 8:12, it says, "For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.” Not only does God forgive our sins, but He goes as far to say he "will remember their sins no more."

God forgives us as soon as we ask for it. Our part is to leave our guilt behind. God doesn't intend for us to carry all of our baggage that He has already forgiven. We'll mess up again. But he will forgive us again. And again. And again.

Living Outside of the Comfort Zone

Once you get to know me, you will find my comfort zone is quite small. Just ask my family or my closest friends--I hate talking on the phone, meeting new people, being put in new situations, and the times leading up to change. By looking at my life from the outside, it may not always appear like this. But from the inside, you will see a constant fight with my comfort zone.

The most valuable lesson I have learned throughout the past two years is to live outside of my comfort zone. It isn't an easy thing to do. But let me tell you--it is so worth it.

Although I talked about living in the regular in my last blog post, my life's "regular" has become a bit different. My life isn't within the confines of my comfort zone anymore. I have learned that if I want to achieve big things, I need to live outside my comforts. Whether this means simply answering a phone call or following God's call to live in a different country this summer, doing difficult things is important and worthwhile.

Everyone has a different comfort zone. Some people could talk to strangers on the phone all day and be happy. Some people (like me) could sit around at home all day in silence and be completely content. The content of your comfort doesn't matter. Being able to stretch your comfort is more important for success in whatever you are doing, and more importantly, in following God's call for your life.

A lot of times people make it look like following God's calling is easy. They make it look glamorous. It almost always looks like they are simply taking huge steps to serve Him. But most often, it isn't that simple. I'll be the first to admit--following God's call is challenging. It's not always glamorous. A lot of times, it can include tears, sorrow, and a whole lot of prayer. However, in the end, you will always find that following His calling is the best choice for your life, even if it is the hardest.

God often calls us to leave our comfort zones. But God equips us for it. We just have to trust Him. I will leave you with Hebrews 13:20-21,

"Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen."

Finding Joy in the Regular

I'm always wanting to do something big. I want to feel as if I'm always making a difference. But sometimes we're just stuck in the regular in's and out's of life. Right now, my life is pretty regular. I have a great job and love what I'm doing. Don't get me wrong, my job is different on a daily basis and always interesting. However, I'm in a pattern right now. I go to work, go home, sleep, and go back to work. It doesn't necessarily feel like I'm doing anything earth-shattering, and even though I always feel that is as life should be, God doesn't want every moment to be news-breaking or life-changing. Sometimes we just have to find joy in the regular.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." It doesn't say rejoice in the good times. It doesn't say find joy in the bad times. It says rejoice always. And this includes the regular times in life--when nothing is necessarily bad, but it isn't always the most exciting time in life.

For me, it is difficult to just sit and be content. I am always pushing to do more, experience more, and be more. I strive to learn new things, meet more people, and be a better person. Often, I think this needs to come in big ways like starting a new experience or going to a new place. However, I cannot do that always. I have probably said this before, but I'll say it again: We can't always have life-changing moments, otherwise they wouldn't be life-changing.

I can still do big things in the regular days. Doing my job to the best of my ability is still important. Being friendly and showing God's love to people that I see every day is still important. I tend to bypass and overlook these "small" things, but they still make a difference in life. God calls us to rejoice always, including in just the regular.

Identity in Christ

Sometimes I feel inadequate. Like I'm not good enough. I'm sure I'm not the only one that has thought about this. We can have others tell us that this isn't true; however, the only way to feel adequate is to truly find our identity in Christ and in nowhere else. Galatians 2:20 says, "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

When we commit our lives to Christ, we put our identity in Him. In His power. In His wisdom. In His love. If you put your identity in your activities, your intelligence, or your achievements, you're probably right: you will never be good enough. Our world's standards are impossible to meet. But when we put our identity in God, we will always be good enough.

I often reflect back on a verse I stumbled upon 4 years ago. "But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, 'Why have you made me like this?'" Sometimes we question God and why He made us the way we are. However, Romans 9:20 puts us back in our place. Who are we to question our Maker? He is almighty, He is all-knowing, and He is love.

He created us each with a purpose. And because He is omniscient, we shouldn't have any reason to question Him in this. Having your identity in Christ means you trust Him with your life and eternity. Your identity is actually one of the core parts to your Christianity. I always thought that my identity could be something I struggled with, but it's more. This is a crucial area of faith. Because when I doubt my identity, I'm not doubting myself. I'm doubting God. I'm not trusting fully in Him.

Finding your identity in Christ helps you to pursue God in all you do, rather than pursuing desire of your own sinful flesh. My life and accomplishments will always fail me. They will never fulfill me. But God can and will always fulfill me.

Who I am in Christ...

The Love of God

Have you ever thought of how much God loves you? Just imagine how much you love someone close to you--it may be a spouse, child, parent, or sibling. But God, He can love us more in one moment than they can ever love us in a lifetime. His capacity for love is much larger than ours. Romans 8:37-39 says,

"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Did you catch that? Nothing can separate us from the love of God. Sometimes, our love for others fail. Sometimes, others' love for us fail. But His, it never fails.

When I was in Guatemala, someone made this concept real and evident to me. He quoted lyrics from an old hymn (which I had never heard) called "The Love of God."

The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest star,
And reaches to the lowest hell;
The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled,
And pardoned from his sin.

O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure
The saints’ and angels’ song.

When years of time shall pass away,
And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall,
When men, who here refuse to pray,
On rocks and hills and mountains call,
God’s love so sure, shall still endure,
All measureless and strong;
Redeeming grace to Adam’s race—
The saints’ and angels’ song.

Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade,
To write the love of God above,
Would drain the ocean dry.
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.

These words are so powerful. The last verse gives you a picture of the vastness of God's love for us. We don't have to earn His love--He just loves us. In fact, 1 John 4:8 even says that God is love. So when you feel unloved, rest in the fact that God's love is truly all you need.

He Will Provide

As I plan my future, it doesn't always look the brightest. With the rising prices of college and law school, I somewhat expect to be in mountains of debt. It hard to admit it, but it's difficult to trust God with this.

We're all used to hearing the typical, "God will provide." It becomes old to us, and sometimes it becomes hard to believe. And as tough as it is for me to even convince myself of it, it still rings true. Luke 12:24-25 says,

"Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?"

God cares for us and He will always provide. He goes even further to question why we have worries and anxieties about His providence. Even when it may be hard to trust Him, it is always best to. Worrying gets us nowhere.

However, Matthew 6:33 helps us set our priorities straight. "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." We shouldn't focus on the money. Instead, we should continue to seek Him and His righteousness. It's His job to provide.

I always worry. It's easy to worry. But that isn't what I'm called to do. I'm called to trust. A lot of times, I can't see what God is doing in my life. Sometimes when He doesn't provide ahead of time, I assume He won't provide. However, God doesn't always provide in our time. He provides in His time.

Trusting in His provision isn't easy, especially with big amounts of money. But what is money anyways? Everything on this Earth is His--including our wealth. Our worldly status and wealth isn't what will matter one day. It's seeking Him. It's always seeking Him. Trust that He will provide--because He will.