Tag: perfection

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A Prayer for Today

As I was reading through several books of prayer and liturgies trying to find a prayer for a community event, I came across a prayer by Walter Brueggemann titled “Our Charter of Entitlement”.  Rather than simply post the words here or on Facebook, I decided to record it and share it with you.  I found the words timely, I found the confession pure, and I also found forgiveness at it hearts.  I pray God’s grace lay upon your hearts and souls as these words resonate through your mind and world.

 

Love, Pray, Give, and Rejoice!

Zach

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Weakness into Perfection by Mikel Bechtold

Weakness.  It seems like “weakness” has become a dirty word.  I don’t know, maybe it’s always been that way, maybe it’s human nature to not allow anyone to see that we have weaknesses, that we are not perfect.

Perfection.  What is perfection?  As a Christian I have been taught that we must always strive for perfection, to live our lives in a way that is “Christ like.”  If we are to live as Christ lived, then we must work towards perfection, for Christ was perfection embodied.  But guys, Christ showed weakness.  He doubted, he struggled, he had moments of anger and deep sorrow.  He didn’t hide these moments of weakness from the world, from his closest friends, they are instead, well documented, and guess what? He’s still perfect.

Why then, do we attempt to hide our weaknesses from the world?  Why do we try to hide our weaknesses from ourselves?  Only when we truly admit to ourselves that we are not perfect, that we struggle, that we need help, that we aren’t always who we know we should be, can we really grow, grow towards true perfection.

It’s easy to put on a strong face for a couple of hours, those moments we need to be the super version of ourselves.  It’s easy to sit behind a computer and write, hitting that delete button when that version of ourselves that we don’t want others to see makes an appearance.  It’s easy to hide ourselves away when we are feeling weak so that no one has to see that part of us.  It’s easy, but is it right?

Maybe I’m in the minority but I long for transparent and authentic relationships.  I need to be around people who have weaknesses and who we can journey together, through the valleys and the mountaintops.  I need people in my life who understand weakness and who are willing to share those moments with me so that I can overcome my own.  Who doesn’t need people like that?

Christ is and has always been transparent and authentic.  He also knows our weaknesses and desires to walk beside us as we struggle.  If we aren’t being honest with ourselves as to where and when we need help, are we allowing God to work through us and heal us at the same time?

Love yourself, warts and all.  Don’t hide away when your soul is crying out for help, crying out in despair.  Don’t keep that part of yourself from everyone else.  Who knows, God could use those moments of yourself, those moments you hate and hide away, those pieces of you that seem weak, to change another’s life.

God is amazing.  His people are amazing.  We are capable of so much, but only if we are honest with who we are.  Only in that honesty can our true potential be realized.

I heard a quote recently and I’ll try to get it right here: “Who we are is God’s gift to us.  Who we become is our gift to God.”

Who are you going to become?  And how are you going to get there?

Mikel is the mom of thr13087918_10154164251769938_6289861413863975931_nee beautiful children and wife to our very own Bearded Theologian and aspiring bench warmer for the Colorado Rockies.  In her spare time she fights crime a seeks justice under the mantle of Wonder Woman.  She loves to spend time hiking with her family, reading, coffee, and of course Texas Rangers baseball…  Her passion is creating space for people to gather, right where they are in life, too be raw and real with one another and with Jesus.