Think on These Things: Positive thoughts in a negative world…
In my daydreams, I envision myself as the perfect Christian. Like a guru at the top of a mountain, people come to seek my spiritual wisdom and insight. Treating the rich and poor with the same dignity and esteem, I pour out my life into serving others. My conversation is full of kindness for all. God’s Word is written on my heart for I spend hours voraciously devouring the Bible and praising God in prayer. Petty inconveniences do not phase me for the love of God motivates me to rise above such trivialities.
Then something happens. I suddenly wake up to the reality that I’ve just snarled with irritation at my husband, told a solicitor to go pound sand, passed a homeless beggar by without a second thought, and let my eyes glaze over as someone pours their heart out to me again on the same subject they have been harping on for years.
A little daydreaming is okay, I guess, but we mustn’t confuse illusion for reality. Trying to attain an ideal we have about being a perfect Christian sets us up for failure and frustration because perfection itself is an illusion—and illusions are deceptive, based on preconceived ideas and not on reality.
Real Christians struggle with how to apply spiritual concepts in their daily lives. They have good days and bad days. They don’t want to make mistakes but they do. They fall short (Romans 3:23). Peter’s ideal was to never deny Christ, but he did (Luke 22:31-34, 59-61). Yet, Jesus showed His love to him even after what he had done (John 21:15-19).
God is not looking for perfect Christians. He’s looking for people who want to have a relationship with Him. People who need and appreciate His grace are not self-sufficient, but rely on Him for their strength. He wants people who are willing to serve in some small way today rather than wait until their financial or health circumstances are better. He wants people who will acknowledge their weaknesses but rise again to face each new day determined to do a little bit better with His help. God wants us to do the best we can with what He has given us. If He had wanted perfect Christians, He could have created them—and if we were perfect, we would not need Christ.
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“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” ~Philippians 4:8 (KJV)
