Accepting Our Imperfection

Each time [God] said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. . . . For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Paul, though he was a great apostle of Jesus Christ, didn’t try to appear perfect. He didn’t have a problem admitting that he had weaknesses. Today in our culture, just the opposite is true: We are encouraged to hide or deny our weaknesses and instead pursue perfection. In only a few minutes at a bookstore newsstand recently, I saw these articles featured in different magazines: “Perfect Skin Tips,” “Perfect Flat Abs,” “The Perfect Jeans for Your Body.”

Many women feel crushing pressure from the media and even from the church to strive for perfection. But from a biblical perspective, trying to be perfect is a mistake, because it’s not the effort to appear perfect but the embracing of our own imperfection that draws us to God. The pursuit of excellence is worthwhile and valuable, but when it becomes a drive for perfection, it can become unhealthy and even be a major roadblock to a vibrant connection with God.

Saints of old tell us that from our awareness of our flaws flows the need for help with what we can’t accomplish alone. In seeking God’s help, we accept our own imperfection and humanness; this leads us to admit that we are not God (the first step in any human being’s recovery from alcoholism or any other sin, bad habit, or problem). Out of that admission grows humility, and out of humility we can receive the grace the Lord has for us and trust in him instead of in ourselves. When we are weak, he is strong, and we are strong in him. What glorious freedom! —CHERI

Jesus, I want to give up the relentless drive for perfection and instead accept and acknowledge my weaknesses. In doing so, I draw near to you and thank you with all my heart that when I am weak, I become strong because of my dependence on you!

God can exercise his mercy when we admit our defects. Our defects acknowledged, instead of repelling God, draw him to us, satisfying his longing to be merciful.

—RAPHAEL SIMON (1909–2006), PSYCHIATRIST, AUTHOR, AND CISTERCIAN MONK

From the book