Not too close!
(Originally posted on our former blog site on 7/30/2012)
Ever had one of those- I think every pore on my face just imploded creating a mountain range of pimples- kind of mornings? I can remember getting so embarrassed in middle school and unloading almost an entire concealer onto my face thinking that it would take less attention away from the momentary acne. Why didn’t anyone ever pull me aside in love and say, “you know honey, concealer will make you continue to break out”. AH! Had to learn that one the hard way.
In those moments the most terrifying thing that anyone could do would be to want to talk to me face to face because they never wanted to stand 10 feet away, they would want to stand REAL close. The kind of close that not only pops a personal bubble but also makes you feel like they could see into the very depths of your soul. Does anyone ever really focus on what they are saying in that moment, or are you like me- consumed with the “I wonder what they are thinking about my face”, “I hope they don’t think that I don’t wash my face”, “of course I wash my face”, “I wonder if I just say yes if they will walk away”, “this is the longest 1 minute conversation I have ever had”…
Now why would I talk about breaking out and what in the world does this have to do with anything. Well girls, here it is. I am a perfectionist. It is a blessing and a curse. I not only like things to be perfectly in place but I need them to be. The Lord has been working on me so I am a bit better now but I can remember when my husband and I first got into ministry and thinking to myself I have to have it all together. I can’t make mistakes. I can’t fail because someone might see me.
Don’t get too close, I look better from a distance.
If you have been around very long you can recognize the pressure that Christians are under these days. Constantly being scrutinized and called hypocritical, being made fun of in the media and put down. It can cause a girl like me to push people away because if they got too close they would see that I am just a hot mess like everyone else. I fail and I make mistakes, I do not deserve a pedestal. No one does.
The problem with pedestals is that no one besides Christ has ever lived a blameless life. We all miss the mark, we all blow it, and we all BREAK OUT! If you were to get too close to anyone besides Jesus you would see how incredibly imperfect we all are. That is why we all need Him, to be our strength when we are weak! How encouraging! Not only does God use people with flaws, but that is the ONLY kind of person He uses. Because there is no other kind!
We are all at different places in life, working out our own salvation, and each striving to walk “worthy of the calling”- taking two steps forward and sometimes one step back. I am not the big deal. I often remind myself that I am only A way to THE way, I am not THE way. So take the pressure off, you are not the source of any person's salvation! You are only "a" way- and as Christians all roads should lead to Christ! So thank God for the leaders in your life! Look up to them, admire them, but in the same breath pray for them and love them!
Don’t be shocked when you get too close and find out that Superman is really just Clark Kent in some spandex and a silly cape.
Save the pedestal for the One who gave His son to die on a cross for you. The One who never fails, never gives up, never has a bad day, and most certainly never has a break out.
Romans 3:20-24 Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law;rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin. But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
Romans 12:3-16 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction,faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
