Is perfection really that perfect?

“Tidy-ness is next to Godliness” is what my mother says; and while I may not embrace it as she would have me, I hear the words, and secretly I want everything to have a clean Rubbermaid box, (with the proper lid,) and a label on the front on of it describing exactly what is in it. I think Martha Stewart would like that too, and you know, in life, there is nothing like having the approval of Martha. I do love tidiness, it makes me feel very content and secure, especially when it’s my tidiness that is on display. When everything has its place, and is in that place, control is found in our lives. Control is a cover up, one that Maybelline would love to patent, because they too are selling the idea of perfection.

I’ve been thinking and I feel that my view of tidiness may need some serious tweaking. My ability to be tidy/or not, to be in control/or not, does not hinder my ability sin. Sometimes I will watch movies and covet the life of the lead female, only to realize that their well put together life is just a façade for a very lonely existence; I don’t know anyone in their right mind who wants to be alone. The most recent was Sandra Bullock in “The Proposal,” opening scenes had her working out in her perfect Upper Westside apartment, (with an incredible kitchen,) looking like a model from the Nike catalogue. Not that I am an expert on working out in my living room, but I don’t think that is reality, “normal” people don’t do that. Surely it would be more likely that she’d be wearing joggers with a bleach stain, an old t-shirt with a hole in the armpit and sneakers with burst air bubbles, that’s more like real life, right? All this would have been worth it if her life was flawless, but it wasn’t. It was filled with flaws; her discipline did not stop her from being inadequate in the same way that my discipline does not prohibit my sin. So why is such a dreadfully disciplined life esteemed? Discipline is not wrong, but if it robs us of the joy of our first love, (Revelation 2:3-5,) is it worth it? The appearance of perfection is not perfection; to covet a counterfeit is idolatry, and let’s face it, that’s just stupid.

If it was only our inappropriate discipline that held us back, we’d be doing well, but all the time that is going, we are also seeking the approval of another; again, so foolish. (I am sitting in condemnation as I write this,) especially when it compromises your own character. Who cares what Martha thinks; I am sure as soon as you read that line many of you thought, “Why Martha? She’s a jailbird!” The reason, because I admire her work as a home economist, and being that I admire her, I would like her approval; but what is that really worth? Would it improve my life by any degree? Would my life be any easier? No, it would be just as unlikely as it is for me to receive her approval, as it would be that my life would improve. Favour, as quickly as it is gained, it can be lost, so why the endless search for worldly approval; does not the scriptures speak on exactly this point? (Matthew 6:19-20)

Apart from that, perfection, whether to feel like you have control of your own life, or to gain another’s approval, robs you, and the Church. What does giving a false perception of your character do to the Church? Are they really seeing an authentic you? Apart from destroying an opportunity to keep you accountable for your issues, you are encouraging the lie that perfection is possible outside of Jesus. We fool ourselves and lie to the Church – how can that be admirable? How is that living an authentic life in Christ? It should not be the way a life surrendered to Christ lives. (Mhairi, are you listening?)

“20 You have died with Christ, and he has set you free from the spiritual powers of this world. So why do you keep on following the rules of the world, such as, 21 “Don’t handle! Don’t taste! Don’t touch!”? 22 Such rules are mere human teachings about things that deteriorate as we use them. 23 These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, pious self-denial, and severe bodily discipline. But they provide no help in conquering a person’s evil desires.” Colossians 2:20-23

Be truth. In your faults, failings, successes, joys, sorrows and sin; be truthful. It will not only set you free, but countless others who look to you as an example of the living Christ; and people are watching, don’t fool yourself that you are any kind of island, you ain’t!

So, one day wear clothes that don’t match, walk in the rain without an umbrella, rock that frizzy hair – show your humanity; it can be so very attractive to an equally broken world. Reality shows are all the rage, live your own; tidy or untidy, clean or badly in need of some laundering, just be true.