A little deeper water this week…but dive in!

DARE TO BE AVERAGE!

Will you accept the challenge?  If you do here, are my predictions:

#1 You probably won’t be very successful!

#2 You will likely start enjoying what you are “doing” to a much greater degree!

Perfectionism is the world’s greatest CON-GAME! 

It promises riches…and delivers misery!

Paul knew the dangers of trying to be perfect.  The definition of trying to “do everything perfectly” was for him to “perfectly follow the law”.  Paul tried doing everything perfect.  He says, “I tried keeping rules (being perfect) and working my head off to please God, and it DIDN’T work.”  (Galatians 2) Wow, we know that feeling! 

Perfection = FUTILITY

So why do we have laws and rules to follow then?  Simple…God gave us the 10 commandments and all the laws for us perfectionists to try and follow to show us the FUTILITY of our efforts of trying to perfectly follow them.  HE proves the perfection game is a CON-GAME by allowing us to “attempt” to follow the law…something that is absolutely, 100% IMPOSSIBLE for US to do, hoping we will GIVE UP and let HIM in us!

“For the creation was subjected to futility not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself (that’s us) also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.” (Romans 8:20 NAS)

This futile attempt of living life perfectly will, if we are LUCKY, eventually break us and we will be set free when we realize it is God that creates our value…NEVER how well we perform. 

A few practical Truths! (from my buddy Burns)

1. It’s good to make mistakes because then I learn.  In fact, I don’t “really” learn UNLESS I make mistakes. 
2. No one can avoid making mistakes (although we sometimes “literally” die trying) – and since it’s going to happen in any case, I may as well accept it and learn from it.
3. Recognizing my mistakes (especially when gently prompted by the Spirit) helps me to adjust the rudder on my ship. 
4. If I fear making mistakes, I become paralyzed.  Since making mistakes is inevitable I’ve decided to try more things, make more mistakes, so I’ll learn faster.  And I might as well enjoy the learning along the way.
5. Most people don’t get mad at us when we make mistakes (and if they do…I’m not living to please them anyway).  In fact, most people feel uncomfortable around so-called “perfect” people. 

Check out this video if you want to see what it’s like to be uncomfortable around a “perfect” person:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kY2_HAAoqqA&feature=related

I won’t perform as well if I don’t try to be perfect…LIE!

An example for you athletes (or former ones!)  When you want to do it perfectly and try hard and tense up and make it happen (with a big grunt)…does your performance normally skyrocket?  Nope…that’s what they call “choking”. 

You see God doesn’t want our performance to wane.  He wants us FREE to perform.  Free for each one of us to “take responsibility for doing the creative best we can with our own life.” (Galatians 6).  But not thru anxiety, stress induced perfectionism.  Instead, thru the freedom of knowing I’m one of God’s kids.  So I can relax, give it all I got and regardless of the outcome…I’m going home to my Father’s big hug tonight.  Now that’s freedom!

ANOTHER PRACTICAL EXERCISE

You want something practical.  Here is an exercise that starts to zap this nasty plaything of Satan’s? 

1. Make a list of advantages of perfectionism
2. Make a list of disadvantages of perfectionism
3. Ask yourself if the advantages are even true.
4. Ask yourself if it’s worth being a perfectionist any longer.

Derek

P.S.: Please don’t let yourself become TOO average…you may not be used to so much EUPHORIA!