Why Not to Pursue Perfection

This post started last week in my speech class, when we were asked to give a demonstration speech on something we were good at.
The professor told us to find something we were "basically perfect at doing".

So I started thinking.. well, what I am good at doing? In what area am I perfect?
Which led to, how many things do I do wrong on a regular basis? How many things do I not know how to do? How many things have I've screwed up before?
and I came to this conclusion.

We are a culture that strives for perfection in a world where perfection is not possible.

For me, it's that I'm constantly trying to be the best possible daughter, girlfriend, friend, college ministry member, Greek life member, and student that I could ever be.

I run full speed, every day. Sometimes I think I go to more meetings with my part time job and Greek life position than I go to class (but I promise dad I'm going to class).
It's like if I just can do this task really quick, if I can just get this initiative started, if I can just get enough A's, if I can just get this budget done THEN I'll be good.
It's the constant pressure of just.work.harder.just.do.more. 

And it is the constant pursuit of perfection that buries itself within us and creates these thoughts that we aren't good enough and we will never be good enough.

But a couple days after the speech announcement, I had a moment. 
A moment of that little voice that is the Holy Spirit whispering into my heart
to stop pretending that I can do this on my own.
that I don't have to do this on my own.
That Jesus has done the work. 
That I don't have to be perfect.

(okay, now pay attention this is what I'm getting at)

because I am following Jesus, 
because He has already chosen ME the complaining, proud, self righteous human that I am 
and because He extended grace, beautiful, sweet, unearned grace, to ME

Because of His mighty, vast, unending love,
because of GRACE. Because of Jesus dying on a cross.

There is no longer an expectation of perfection.

"For by GRACE you have been saved, through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not as a result of works, so that no one may boast." Ephesians 2:8-9

Though I will never be good enough for this world, though I will always make mistakes and struggle, God doesn't love me for completing my tasks. His love is far beyond that.

"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." Romans 8:38-39

These roles that I have and jobs that I do, do not ultimately decide my future,  but God has always known my plans.

"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10

So maybe you've read this far, and you're thinking this girl is seriously crazy.
And don't get me wrong here: as Christians we are called to do everything, every word and every action and every thought to the glory of God as we see in Colossians..

"And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:17

But there is no longer pressure to be perfect, because I can't be perfect. No one can.
Because there is a God who cannot stand sin, who cannot be near mistakes, who cannot tolerate it.

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" Romans 8:23

BUT because love, there is a way.
There is Jesus, who IS perfect, who made a way. Who died on my behalf.

"For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person--though perhaps for a good person one would date even to die-- but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:6-8

And because of this love there is FREEDOM from perfection. 

Even when we forget.
and wander away.
and get upset because our hearts are tired.
and frustrated that we can't do everything and do it right.
He still loves us even then.

So maybe I am crazy. Maybe you're at the end of this and don't get it.

But maybe you do. And maybe you needed this reminder today.
and maybe Jesus is working in your heart too.

And for this writer, that maybe is enough reason to push past the urge to write the "perfect" blog that the world tells me I have to write, and post this instead.

and every now and then, like last summer at the beach when I took this,
we can be reminded to stop running around and enjoy God's beautiful creation instead.