Rest From Perfection

Rest From Perfection

Galatians 3: ¹⁰ Those who depend on obeying the Law live under a curse. For the scripture says, “Whoever does not always obey everything that is written in the book of the Law is under God's curse!” ¹¹ Now, it is clear that no one is put right with God by means of the Law, because the scripture says, “Only the person who is put right with God through faith shall live.” ¹² But the Law has nothing to do with faith. Instead, as the scripture says, “Whoever does everything the Law requires will live.”

 

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Holding it together was becoming a task. My junk car had seen better days. I had to drive it perfectly for it to work. It wouldn’t always start, so I kept tools in the car, just in case. I also kept jumper cables in case the battery died. I had extra engine coolant because the radiator leaked and cans of oil and transmission fluid for the same reason. If one thing went wrong, the car would not work.

 

• I spent most of my time trying to be perfect when it was a losing battle.
• I felt hopeless because I could not afford to get out of my precarious situation.
• I needed something new that was dependable and reliable.

 

Obeying “The Law” was not the problem rather depending on it for salvation. Paul clarifies this by using “The Law” to prove how impossible it was to be saved. If one law was broken, then all laws were broken. Picking and choosing favorite scriptures was not an option.

 

My Observations

• When I am exhausted I need to examine if I am trying to live perfect instead of believing I am forgiven.
• GOD took care of all my sins, needs and desires, all I have to do is have faith in HIS plan for me.
• Thinking I, or others, can be perfect is the problem GOD wants me to let go of so I can have rest.

 

Sin is a nasty, sticky opponent that is relentless. I mean, when I think I have one area of my life under control, another situation I never would have expected pops up. I find myself in new sins I never would have dreamed of. When I focus on the situation, it seems hopeless. BUT GOD says different.

 

HE has me focus on the true and mighty solution, namely JESUS. When the world spits out new hatred and fights one another, JESUS says to us “Have faith, I have overcome the world.” Placing my faith in JESUS does not mean I am out of touch, it simply means I have hope. I am glad JESUS gave me the COMFORTER so I can rest.

 

Challenge

• What does the writer say about “depending on the Law?”
• Have you ever self-examined what you place your dependence on?
• Will you reduce your control, fears and doubts enough so you can add trust, faith and belief in JESUS today so you can rest from trying to be “perfect?”

Waiting for Perfect Conditions

1 Chronicles 20: In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, Joab led out the armed forces. He laid waste the land of the Ammonites and went to Rabbah and besieged it, but David remained in Jerusalem. Joab attacked Rabbah and left it in ruins. 

² David took the crown from the head of their king—its weight was found to be a talent of gold, and it was set with precious stones—and it was placed on David’s head. He took a great quantity of plunder from the city ³ and brought out the people who were there, consigning them to labor with saws and with iron picks and axes. David did this to all the Ammonite towns. Then David and his entire army returned to Jerusalem.

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Training was phenomenal and I felt ready to tackle new issues! “This is my chance” I thought to myself.  The conditions were perfect for me to move ahead.  I mean I was the only one in the department trained on this particular platform.  I also had years of experience and to top it off, my boss not only liked me, she was excited about my work.

Then I got the news… She was leaving the company. “Well, that’s okay, I am still trained” I thought. Then they announced they were moving on to a new platform and my training was obsolete. Now how am I supposed to behave? Do I have to wait some more?!

• Many times I have waited for the conditions to be perfect and they have fallen apart.
• Many times I have wondered when it will be “my” turn to be on top.
• Many times I have cried out in a tantrum, “Please let me move ahead and I will start being generous and serving ant etc.”

It seemed like I was trying to bargain with GOD. “If YOU let me get my way then I will serve YOU with excitement” as if to say I wouldn’t if HE didn’t. Instead of advancement after waiting for years, I received more trouble, more worry and more pain.

One reason I think David was a man after GOD’s own heart was he never waited. The current conditions were always perfect to serve GOD. When a bear attacked him, he fought, knowing GOD was with HIM. The same with armies and foes who had the odds stacked against him.

• I must realize that the current conditions are perfect for serving GOD.
• I must realize that I can be generous in the middle of having little.
• I must realize that I can praise GOD loudly and excited in the middle of the storm.

The old saying is “GOD isn’t done with me yet” meaning I’m still growing in HIS grace and HIS marvelous plan. HIS plan is awesome and far greater than I could ever imagine.

• Are you in the middle of the storm?
• Are you facing another giant right after fighting a bear?
• Do you think you have to do it alone?
• Can you place your reliance on GOD and trust that HE knows where you are?