ambition [side-blog]

Nikki Fletcher of Worship Central shares her powerful insights on two different types of ambition...

perfectionism vs biblical excellence: identifying the lie

Ephesians 1:6-7 In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.  In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the richness of his grace..." (ESV)

In my most recent blog post, we explored symptoms of perfectionism  for better discernment of ourselves and others.  We also started to look into what drives a perfectionist to the extremes they can often exhibit.  Since we've already learned to identify the problem, today we identify the lie of perfectionism.

Let's take the first step by honestly searching our hearts -  it's there you'll find that we as humans tend to define the "ideal standard" by our own hands (James 2:1-7, Luke 16:15, Jeremiah 9: 23, 24).  It is a product of this world that we patch together a human archetype and justify it as righteous, whether it includes perfect looks, unrivaled wit, an untouchable musical ability, or athletic prowess Olympian in might.  It isn't just a bunch of random sources that comprise our ideal standard, either - just take a look at advertising, for example.  Comments from others, implications we process throughout our upbringing as children, and comparing ourselves to others can also affect our idea of "perfect."  We must be careful that the pursuit to better ourselves does not cross into this realm of idolatry.  Certainly it is healthy to want to continuously improve, but when excellence becomes self-exalting, we must return to our center in Jesus Christ. 

Seems like it's pretty exhausting to have to meet the standards a perfectionist sets, huh?  However, when caught up in this self-centered mess, a perfectionist will relentlessly pursue their aforementioned personal ideal.  It's not all that surprising to me - and here's why: Satan is able to convince even the strongest of people that it's the only way to prove to yourself, to others, and to God that you have worth.  

NEWSFLASH: YOU WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO "EARN" GOD'S LOVE.

He loves us regardless of our actions and circumstances, our fears and failures.  He looks past our faults, our mistakes, and our ugliness.  And he could certainly care less about our imperfections.

Romans 8:38-39 says "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, not anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." 

If God's love can endure all that, how could we ever convince ourselves that our self-defined imperfections can cause him to stop loving us?  There is no reason for us to be afraid of vulnerability or failure, because we are loved as children of God.  He does not withhold his love from us when we fall below a standard!

Once we let this truth sink in, there's honestly only one way to respond.  We respond with worship and praise of the Holy One, the Giver of Life and the Lover of Our Souls.  We respond by choosing to accept His love in order to gain eternal life with our Saviour. 

God whispered something to me yesterday morning, way before before I ever sat down to begin this blog post.  He said: "Daughter, if salvation depended on your inadequate self-righteousness, you'd be out of luck.  I sent my son, Jesus Christ, to die for you because you are worth it...  for I so loved this world."

I get chills as I close my eyes and meditate on a love so palatable, so overcoming that it eclipses all of my self-centeredness.  And I pray that you do, too - because it's in that sweet surrender that you'll find rest and deliverance in the arms of Jesus. 

PRAYER FOR TODAY: God, thank you for revealing to me how easily my heart is deceived by the muck of this world.  Thank you for unmasking the lies of the enemy.  I am so exhausted from hiding beneath this mask and trying to maintain false pretenses.  If I'm honest with myself, I never truly desired this state in the first place.  All I wanted was to know that I'm valuable, that I'm worth it, and that I'm loved.  Forgive me for the times I have sought that elsewhere.  God, You have uniquely designed me, all of my failures and imperfections included.  I am humbled and amazed by Your love - You sent Your son to die on a cross for ME!  Help me to receive and return that love by walking daily in Your sweet presence and becoming more like Jesus.  Amen.

Next time - "A Pursuer of Excellence."  See you then!

- Emily