It is only through determined search that we may bring ourselves within reach of the perfection we desire. Indeed, to discover and address that which remains imperfect becomes of profound import if we are to dream of attaining to His order of perfection. For at all cost, and such cost as we find ourselves in need of remittance may truly seem hopeless and beyond our ability, we must resolve to strive to our utmost bounds to pay the penance of correction. Perfection after all, is our result of locating and removing anything impeding our fellowship with Him. As has been proven once in all of history, human perfection, as impossible as it appears, is nevertheless within human reach.
As I walked in the woods through the chill of a somber and dank morning, the Spirit happened to take my thoughts to the likelihood of perfection and the unlikelihood of ever attaining to such a status. I was looking through the green hickory saplings for, coincidentally, a perfect walking stick. In my mind, I envisioned a plumb and arrow-straight sapling, green and hopefully one to one and a half inch in diameter. Remember these criteria for the ultimate selection. In my time I’ve cut many walking sticks, always a hickory or sassafras (and invariably thrown away or lost), but I’ve never quite gotten exactly the one I wanted – today would be different, today I would find the perfect one, to keep and use for those long walks up and down the Ozark hills in the peaceful forest. As I ambled down the dim track (where we normally drive the ATV), I started thinking about perfection in general.
The scriptures encourage us to be perfect Christians [Matthew 5:48]: “Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.”, so what qualities would our Lord require of us to be perfect in His eyes?
First of all, as flesh and blood humans, I think we all realize that perfection is beyond our reach, and indeed it is, if we attempt it on our own. But there is a Way to perfection, even in this human iteration of our existence if we truly seek it. The Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ is the only answer this paradox! The Spirit can lead us to perfection. We are far from perfect as physical human beings when we begin our Spiritual journey (assuming we have decided to undertake it) but as we progress, as we trust Jesus Christ to develop our improvement, our imperfections become less and less of an issue, either because we become more able to see and resolve them, or even though we considered our “imperfections” to be such, maybe they weren’t imperfections in God’s eyes. Remember when Moses was reluctant to undertake the responsibility which God assigned to him because of his speech impediment? [Exodus 4:10]: “Then Moses said to the Lord, “O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.” Moses considered this to be a disqualifier for the role he was being solicited to fill in God’s service, but God didn’t see this as an imperfection at all, so what we deem imperfection may not be such to God.
It is sometimes due to these very imperfections which we perceive in ourselves that God chooses us to do His work. For instance, I believe that I’m sort of crazy and I sometimes write things that are often “out there”, but maybe God gives me the desire (responsibility) to write on His behalf, knowing that I don’t mind saying things that “normal” people would be disinclined to discuss – in the hopes of encouraging my fellow travelers to seek Him. Or in the case of this post, maybe to not be so down on ourselves for what might not be a real problem and accept that. After all, God has myriad ways of showing us when something is a real imperfection that we need to deal with, so we must trust Him and do it.
As these thoughts about perfection progressed, I watched my little dog scampering through the trees and catching the scent of all the critters that were about last night. This little girl is a canine thief, steals whatever she can get away with, but I love her very much. It occurred to me that God indeed sees our imperfections when He chooses us, both the real issues that need to be addressed, like cleaning up our language, or quitting drinking or whatever, versus those things about us which He doesn’t consider to be shortcomings, but maybe we do. He reaches down and grabs us, and if you’re like me, He had to hold His nose and reach way down, but if we hear His voice and invite Jesus Christ into our lives [Revelation 3:20] “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me”., He gives us whatever we need to overcome our issues. Namely the Holy Spirit which tells us everything we need to know and further, by writing His law on our hearts, gives us the ability to discern real imperfections from those we imagine. He also ultimately teaches us when those “obstacles” we feared might damage our relationship are not really a problem, so we don’t need to waste emotional capital worrying about them, for some of us that takes time, but He has plenty of time.
One other aspect of perfection that often goes unconsidered is that we can be capable of “perfect” love. Again, only through the Holy Spirit are we able to receive this absolutely marvelous asset. We are told in the Scriptures that with perfect love, we do not fear (the threats of the enemy), because perfect love casts out fear. [1 John 4:18]: “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.” That’s a big one, folks, because fear is the greatest weapon in the enemy’s arsenal, but with the perfect love blessing of the Holy Spirit, we are able to disarm him!
The last sentence of that verse also implies to us a very significant map to perfection. Do not overlook the part that tells us we can be made “perfect in love”. Through the power of love we can be perfected – yes, love – the greatest power in all of creation! How do we learn to love like this? How do we learn to wield this great power? [2 Thessalonians 3:5]: “Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.” The Holy Spirit teaches us (directs our hearts) how to love God (and our fellow travelers)! His amazing Love is by far the greatest of all spiritual gifts. Pray fervently for it. Love even has the power to cover much sin! [1 Peter 4:18]: “And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” Indeed, it is love that gives us our strength and courage in our time of need, that day is coming for all of us.
We are reminded many times throughout the scriptures that God is Love, therefore Love is the greatest power in all of creation. What’s more is that we have access to this love, so if we opt to follow Christ, even in our state of imperfection, with love we are well-armed to defeat the enemy in his strength.
As I sauntered down the woodland hill on the way back to the house after all this meditation on perfect and imperfect, I realized that I might not be applying the proper criteria for the right walking stick after all, and lo and behold, I finally found the perfect one. At first you might see an old crooked, weathered blackjack oak limb, but if you consider the implications of this post and look closer, you will behold the perfect walking stick!
May the blessings of the Almighty Father find and keep us.
MK