Are You Holding onto the Best Things in Life?
A woman was walking down the sidewalk. She walked along, talking about her next appointment, carrying all her bags, her phone in one hand and her coffee in the other. Then, somehow, this crack in the sidewalk caused her to stumble and bumble, and finally, she fell to the ground!
Guess what? She did NOT spill this coffee!!!
Like this woman, the question I pose to you is this, “What are you holding on to so carefully that you never mess this up?”
It doesn’t matter what comes your way, this, whatever you hold in your hand, this will never spill or break.
What are you holding onto like this woman who took a huge fall yet comes up afterward and says, “Well, at least I didn’t spill this — my coffee!”
My question is, “Are you holding onto the best things in life?”
What is it for you that you have to hold onto and never let it spill or fall or crash?
How do we let go of this tendency toward perfection and instead hold onto what actually matters?
Allow me to remind you before I share the following statements that God has grace for you. Do you have grace for yourself?
I hear women claiming, “I’m a perfectionist,” like it is a badge of honor or a positive attribute. It hurts my heart to know women carry this around and pride themselves on attempting to do everything perfectly. The thought of trying to live this way feels so heavy.
Perfectionistic tendencies are like a ton of bricks laying across the shoulders of a woman attempting to get it all right. God wants to take that weight off anyone who attempts perfection because it is IMPOSSIBLE to accomplish!
It is impossible to always hold this and keep everything in balance. Likewise, it is impossible to do all things perfectly at all times.
We have to find the rhythm of life. We have to live in rhythm.
So that when, not if something falls, we are still on solid ground.
Our day or week, or month is not ruined when something in our lives is not executed just exactly right.
While I have been accused of being a perfectionist and tend to lean that way, I have learned what works best for me, and my hope is this is what works best for you. Let’s approach life by doing things with excellence. Not perfection.
If this spills or breaks every once in a while, it’s OK!!!
My motto is this: Anything worth doing is worth doing well, especially for the Lord. It is the intent and motive behind it.
Do everything with a spirit of excellence instead of perfection. Ask yourself, where do I tend to strive for perfection in my daily life?
Pray Psalms 139:23-24 and ask the LORD to reveal what you need to know.
Here are a few examples of how you may be striving for perfection:
- Is it never walking out of the house without your makeup and hair done perfectly?
- Is it keeping your home perfectly clean 100% of the time?
- Is it constantly working to prove your worth at work?
- Is it never missing a workout?
- Is it cooking everyone’s favorite meals every evening?
- Is it planning and executing the perfect parties?
- Is it always keeping the kids in the right activities with the right gear?
Instead, here is what the Living Word says about a spirit of excellence rather than perfection.
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” (Colossians 3:23-24, ESV)
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9, ESV)
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30, ESV)
“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” (Psalms 139:23-24, ESV)
Be sure to check out our episode with Amanda Jenkins, author of the hit TV series “The Chosen.” She and I ramped up our conversation quickly on perfectionism, vanity, and staying in the wilderness! So much to talk about, so little time.
She inspires us with every truth bomb she shares! We want you to know how to live victoriously with Jesus, despite any struggle you face today!
This article appeared originally on womenoffaith.com.
