Central Truth

Our perfection is attained and complete, now and forever, in our Lord’s love.

Reflections

Ah, perfection! It calls me like the mythological sirens, the beautiful women singing their sensuous songs on the treacherous, rocky shore, luring me in with their false images of fulfillment. As I draw near in my worldly vessel, I do not heed the danger of the pounding waves and jagged, unforgiving death to come. I am destroyed by my own longings for attaining godlike completion in my own endeavors.

What is driving me to perfection? As God presses, it becomes a painful revelation that my striving futilely seeks survival. I manipulate my life, birthing unreal manifestations in my persona and work, to attain some semblance of worth to appease longings for acceptance from the world. My father-wounds and mother-wounds cut deep and the bleeding seeks staunching with a healing from all the wrong places. No amount of bandaging with performance, acquisition, or self-medication brings acceptance but only a slow, merciless draining of my life’s blood. My soul empties with each desperate striving. Give me peace, oh my God! I cannot do this myself. My stalwart rebellions against Your love and design for my life have not worked. They will never work.

Before Christ’s appearance to the Apostle Paul, Paul lusted for flawless excellence. His worldly self-exaltation was superficially satisfied in a contrived faith. Paul thought he had it all. But, his self-glorification was an empty existence. He found his true self in the loving brilliance of  the Lord striking to the depths of his sin. Paul did not have to perform in his own strength. Only God was to perform within Paul bringing him to the passion of a life complete in Christ.

May we, like Paul, realize God’s spirit, power, and persistent pursuit brings us, His holy and perfect children, in to His strong, protective embrace. We do not have to perform to ingratiate ourselves with an ungrateful world and unforgiving, self-made gods. As we are, we are accepted, affirmed, and loved by our true Father. Our so very wise God gives us our freedom and life in His perfection.

Discussion Questions

1. Where are you now in your life’s journey, and what is the hope you have for yourself?
2. What regretful actions keep on manifesting themselves in your life?
3. What past wounds drive you to do what you do?
4. How is your life incomplete because of your wounds?
5. What do you think drives you away from God instead of towards Him?
6. Where and how can you begin to allow God to enter your life to begin the healing of your heart, mind, and soul?