Perfection Perception
Can you identify that time in your life where you discovered that doing things the way you always have just doesn't cut it anymore? You see that what you thought was working either never did and you didn’t notice or suddenly, it has dramatically been brought to your attention. One day, either like a 2x4 whacked over your head or the culmination of lots of little messages, it becomes intolerable.
First comes your awareness. Then it seems to grow and fester and become intrusive or intolerable. Suddenly it's always in your face and you can see how much it might be hurting you and even others in your life.
I see it in my own life and I hear it over and over again with my clients, friends and colleagues. I think it's Gods way of nudging us.
I imagine Him gently and lovingly saying to me;
“Hey Sandy....I'm trying to show you something new here.
Do you want to do better, feel better and learn something new?
Would you like to struggle less”? Hellooooo… (fingers tapping) you still there?
This brings Isaiah 43:19 to mind:
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
I think the level of discomfort within us is what provides the determination we need to allow God to change us. For me, it's a relief to know that I will never be done working on one thing or another because He will never be finished with me on this side of heaven. That’s a big whew for me! Not that any of us are off the hook but it takes my perfection perception and tosses it out the window!
One of the lessons I keep learning is that my view of things at times is significantly off. My story around my "stuff" is skewed. My belief system needs a complete reboot. How about you?
So simply stated, It's ME, it’s MY thinking, MY perception. As far as I have experienced; It's ONLY God who can fix this ME problem. But I need to cooperate. And I’m pretty sure you do too. It's not that we are excused or off the hook but God takes my perfection perception and tosses it out the window!
What do we do to resolve these conflicts?
How do we disrupt this thing, this habit, this thought or way we speak to ourselves and reverse it? I know we all wish we could snap our fingers or say a quick prayer and it would be done right? In a way, it actually is but to our worldly human eye and real life timeline it takes much longer.
So in the meantime watch for clues....
- Do you see a theme in your life currently?
- Could God possibly be calling to you in order to begin a NEW work in you?
- Is there something that keep presenting itself that causes recurring discomfort or pain?
- Does it affect relationships, your job or performance?
- How do you feel when you think about it?
- Do you go to a place of guilt ,shame, embarrassment and discomfort?
TO DO: Start writing or typing it out! Keeping track of these feelings and obviously ask God. He wants to reveal the answers to you and bring you to the next life lesson.
Jeremiah 33:3
Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.
As far as I can tell that’s not a maybe but it is His promise. It’s an invitation for your better, happier and more fulfilled version of the you he created and see’s. There is more joy and purpose than you can even imagine. If we all just let go of our perception of perfection and get out of His way.
Leave a comment below and tell me something you are willing to let go of. Something you need to release and put in Gods hands so you have more of the life He created you for. How will life look if you take your hands off of that one area and God is invited in to transform your life?
