I have continued on in my list for cultivating humility and today I came upon an interesting point that can stifle humility: perfectionism. On the surface it seems that this doesn't relate with being humble but looking deeper it becomes apparent how it can and surely does.
Perfectionism - Ah, the fondness of having things just the way you want them! I am guilty as charged! I love a clean house, clean children, a clean desk, a neat blog, perfectly manicured nails, a low-calorie diet (still striving for perfection here :) and living an overall "Norman Rockwell" picturesque kind of life. I have little tolerance for less than perfect in myself and often in other people which can admittedly make me hard to live with. I am reminded of the scripture in Proverbs that says, "It is better to dwell on the corner of a roof than in the house with a contentious woman!" I have been reminded by the Holy Spirit and my husband about this word many times in eleven years! I have to take this opportunity to publicly apologize to my family, "I am sorry and yes, I do realize this about myself. However, I hope that I have made some progress." Again, the plank in my own eye is truly a LOG! It's amazing when you actually have to write stuff out how horrible it sounds! The perfectionist in me wants to hit the delete button. What a testimony to the pervasiveness of the sinful,prideful heart. What a reason to praise the Lord for the SINLESS,HUMBLE sacrifice of Jesus that "cleanses us from all unrighteousness!" I am struck by how Jesus is constantly the direct opposite to our flesh which makes Him the only One who in the flesh could condemn sin and satisfy the wrath of God. We can't do that for ourselves no matter how much of a perfectionist we are. Now, do you see the connection to a lack of humility? Fortunately, the longer I live the more I realize that God will not allow me to always have it my way, rarely do we get to have it our way. Why? Because this isn't Burger King, JESUS is Lord, not me, and if I do "have it my way" then I think I'm in control and not Him. I think I know what's best for me more than my Creator and then the clay begins to say to the Potter, "Why did you make me this way?" I take matters into my own hands instead of leaving them with Him, where they should be. The point? I don't think I'll ever not love a clean house or all of the other things listed above but there is freedom in knowing that the world will not come to an end if they aren't that way, there is freedom in knowing that God is in PERFECT control and if it means that I spend more time investing in someone other than me, Praise the Lord, seriously!
My beautiful mother-in-law is a great example of this. She is constantly wanting to be organized but she will readily admit it isn't one of her gifts! But that's not what people see in her. What they SEE is a woman who always has a kind word or a gentle hug or an ear to listen. A woman who remembers all the details of your illness or the name of your ailing sister or your often overlooked anniversary (I'm not speaking from experience!) There have been many days when I have gone to the mailbox in need of a word of encouragement only to find a card from her. I keep a card in my bible that she sent to my Grandfather just days before he went to be with the Lord that are full of scriptures that would strengthen him in his last days as a pilgrim, cheering him on to the hope that is to come! I praise the Lord for the godly example she has been to me over the last 11 years. She is one of the few people that I know that I would say is self-less. A true rarity in today's world! Thank you, Charlotte for the beauty of Christ rests upon you.
Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “ God resists the proud,But gives grace to the humble.” 1 Peter 5:4-6
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