The Direction of Perfection: The Next Door of Opportunity
You begin another day with renewed ambition, dare to offer a new prayer, snap at your kids a little less. You look in the mirror and smile for once, learn a hard lesson and move on, extend encouragement to a friend. You and I are always growing in the Lord!
I cannot imagine a moment or day without God. He is ever by my side, teaching me by His Word, conforming me to the likeness of His Son. Wherever I am in relation to Him, He meets me there, and He meets you too.
Day after day, I am increasingly conscious of my humanity. Social blunders, glaring distractions, and memory lapses remind me of my weakness. Repeated temptations, fleeting thoughts, and fearful doubts attest to my sinfulness.
I am nowhere remotely close to perfection—and thankful I don’t have to be. Jesus is perfect, and He is my Savior. He is everything I’m not and achieves everything I can’t.
That is why I am unspeakably grateful for sanctification, the lifelong process of becoming more like God through Jesus Christ. I make innumerable mistakes along the way, but as Jude says,
“Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.” (24, ESV).
In all our weakness, 2 Corinthians 12:9 assures us, God’s power is made perfect. Despite our grumbling and stumbling, He invites us to return to Him (Isaiah 44:22, Jeremiah 15:19, Hosea 14:1). As we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive and cleanse (1 John 1:9).
Amidst the struggle, I am often disheartened, but the Lord quickly revives me. His grace prevails in my wrestling match against the old self crucified with Christ and the new creation moving toward glory. My failings remind me of Jesus’ sacrifice for me (Hebrews 10:12-14), the comfort of peace with God (Romans 5:1), and the calling of salvation (Ephesians 4:1).
Far from perfect (or even good), all I can do is thank God with a humble heart. He saved me and continues to make me more like Him.
God’s Provision: This grace is for all who depend on Him!
The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
– Psalm 145:18
We can join in Paul’s prayer for the Colossians, that we “may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God” (1:9-10).
Word of the Week: Direction. We are continually growing in faith. I once heard we should focus on direction rather than perfection. Where we are heading matters more than how well we are doing along the way. “For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few” (Matthew 7:14).
Waiting is so hard.
We dislike it so much we pick the shortest cashier lines, fastest internet speeds, and least busiest roadways. One moment of down time, and we pull out something else to do.
Stillness and quiet don’t seem to be common values in our society. But as parents who need a breather, hard workers who need a break, and human beings who need rest … well, how about it?
God freely offers it to us. We often quote Jesus from Matthew 11: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
I think we also find rest in waiting. David pens, “I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in His word I hope” (Psalm 130:5). Over and over again, God’s people find respite in His sovereignty, comfort in His promises, renewed energy in His communion.
Isaiah says those who wait upon the Lord will run without fatigue (40:31). David declares they who keep the Lord’s way will be exalted to inheritance (Psalm 37:34). The author of Lamentations affirms the Lord’s goodness toward those who seek Him (3:25). Every person who has waited expectantly for Almighty God has never been disappointed.
God hears their cries, answers their prayers, and reassures their hearts. He is patient, kind, and faithful. Indeed, He neither slumbers nor sleeps, but always watches out for us.
The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.
– Psalm 121:7-8
Personally, I don’t like waiting. It feels like a waste of time and unnecessary anxiety. But I am slowly learning how valuable the wait is. It teaches patience, deepens trust, and increases understanding. Indeed, God reveals Himself in secret to the one who is broken and in need of grace.
Right now, I am waiting on the Lord. One particular circumstance is at the forefront of my mind, but there are always ongoing pursuits and Scripture-inspired hopes that weave throughout my prayers. Maybe you also are waiting for Him.
Even though we don’t always know what we’re waiting for, there is such overwhelming confidence and inexplicable contentment in trusting God. Even in our moments of confusion, doubt, and frustration, God visits and protects us. He does not leave us waiting forever, but faithfully delivers on His promises and completes His perfect will.
God’s Provision: Both the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ intercede on our behalf before the Father (Romans 8:26, 34). God Himself, who knows Himself and His purposes, helps us ask Him for what He already purposed for us. Truly, He is on our side!
Word of the Week: Watchfulness. “The state of being constantly attentive and responsive to signs of opportunity.” When we actively and persistently seek God, even a subtle indication of movement perks us up. We are so vigilant that we are ready for His response.
Far from a waste of time, waiting is a beneficial use of spiritual energy. It opens us up to God and makes us dependent on Him—so hard, yet so rewarding.
Abby
Dear Younger Me,
Know that you can share your feelings and be met with understanding. I know how hard it is for you to share them, because shame might be present, or because you’re afraid of disappointing the one you’re sharing those feelings with. I don’t want to tell you that sharing your feelings will always be met with grace, because that’s not the truth, but there are times when you will open up that you’ll find your feelings will be heard. I hope you’ll experience the joy that comes when you do that. I hope it will encourage you to allow yourself to do that more. And I hope that when you’re afraid of disappointing someone that you will realize an opportunity for growth, that even in the tension, you can grow to see you can’t please people in every way all the time and that you can be honest.
What beauty that sharing your feelings can sharpen others, and their response sharpens you. Hold to Proverbs 27:17, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
And as you open up, do so with grace and gentleness, because that matters too.
Love,
Megan
Whether it’s our grandmother’s china set, a note from a friend, or breakfast get-togethers with mom, we tend to hold onto what matters to us. Our lives are filled with heirlooms, experiences, and relationships very special to us.
I attach myself to a lot of things. My family, select friends, and now my Ecuador family, are most important to me, so I intentionally invest in those relationships. Then there are responsibilities and pastimes, to which I commit time and determination. Last come the extras; I get to what I can, and as for the rest … God knows the intentions of my heart. We can’t hang onto everything and everyone that has ever crossed our paths, so we choose to stick with the most meaningful.
How about you? Who and what fill your life?
There are innumerable possibilities vying for our attention. For me, I always want to cling to the faith entrusted to me by God. Amid life’s activity, I strive to establish myself in the truth of God’s Word. Above all, I desire to discipline myself in the Spirit to follow Christ’s example.
None of this would be possible, however, if it weren’t for God’s love for me. You and I can only love because He loved us first, right? (1 John 4:19). If God were not clinging to me, I would never be able to hold onto Him.
This is something for which I repeatedly thank and praise Him. Every day, I am grateful for another occasion to grow in knowledge and service of God.
It truly is a gift to wake up breathing. How much more of a privilege to walk in newness of life in Jesus Christ (Romans 6:4)! To roll out of bed and know you belong to God; to pour your coffee and realize He’s inviting you to partake in His majesty; to go about your day and live in the gratitude of a life rescued and transformed by a merciful Savior.
I can’t think of a better life story!
God’s Provision: The cross! Our Father, Maker of heaven and earth, sets His love upon us and eternally clings to us through Jesus Christ.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? … For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
– Romans 8: 35, 38-39, ESV
Word of the Week: Shekinah. This brings to mind the radiant glory of God manifested as cloud, fire, and other fearsome phenomena. God’s presence with His people was enduring, striking, and transforming. It still is. Even now, He reigns in glory and refines us to perfection.
Yes, we cling to Him. Even more, He clings to us.
Dear Younger Me,
Let the fear of missing out give way to the joy of appreciation. The fear of missing out might be tied to feelings of being outside the in-group, or you might find that it’s tied to where you live when the people you love live further away. Your busyness may keep you from enjoying some of the things you’d rather do, but in those times where you envy what others get to experience when you can’t, remember what you do have. It’s easy to say that, and you might hear that over and over in your life, but it’s true.
God’s good gifts abound to you. You might miss out, but what you get to enjoy is a blessing. When you’re jealous or beginning to envy, choose to flip the coin and see those good gifts. There really is beauty right where you are. And when it comes to the people you love, even if you miss out for one reason or another, remember that you are loved so well, and missing out doesn’t change that.
Love,
Megan
For many of us, the unknown is daunting. It instigates insecurity within us because we don’t know what to expect or how to plan. For some, the unknown invites an invigorating adventure … meanwhile, the rest of us are left slightly unsettled.
Significant questions lacking definitive answers make me feel unclear. Tentative plans without details make me feel unprepared. Seasons of suffering with indistinct purposes make me feel uncertain. The truth is, not knowing makes me feel vulnerable.
The more curiosities I pursue, the more I realize how little I know. My human brain is extremely ill-equipped and hopelessly finite in comparison to the sheer amount of information available in the universe. Take science, plus current events, plus history, plus specialized fields of study, and I’m lost somewhere in the muddle.
Granted, worldly knowledge is beneficial in many instances. But heavenly wisdom is far more precious. The most important things to know are not in published dissertations, news articles, collegiate textbooks, or training manuals.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. – Proverbs 9:10
Far better to seek godly counsel than acquire earthly expertise, or even temporal wealth! Proverbs 16:16 proclaims, “How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.”
The reality is, I don’t know many things; but what I do know, I know for sure! I am unwaveringly confident in the truth of God’s promises contained in His Word. I am unchangingly secure in the depth of His love demonstrated through the crucifixion and resurrection of His Son.
Such knowledge is not anything I can obtain myself. It must come from God, in the form of guidance by the Holy Spirit and holy living in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. Anytime I lack understanding, I know the God who knows, and that assures me. Certain things are not for me to know, but what I do need to know, God has already reavealed.
When I get overwhelmed by how much there is to learn, frustrated by how ignorant I can be, or disoriented in the tangle of differing ideas, “Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in Him” (Proverbs 30:5).
God’s Provision: God’s way is perfect. He always guides His children in truth, sending instruction through fellow saints and leading us to Holy Scripture. Indeed, His Word is sufficient for all things, profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16). Breathed out by God Himself, “the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).
Word of the Week: Complete. God’s character—and His Word as an extension of His character—are flawless in every way. In the face of our unknowns, He knows all things, including us. He is a gracious and loving God who desires the complete restoration of His people. We lack; He abounds. For our all faults, flaws, and failings, God is complete.
Abby
Dear Younger Me,
There’s something about the smell of a rainy day that takes you back to an elementary school fall break spent with your great-great uncle and aunt in the Upper Peninsula, and of course, you wish you could go back there. Not just back to the UP, but back there to the days when you were a carefree kid without the weight of the world on your shoulders. You also wish you could tell that girl everything she needs to know and all these lessons so she could avoid hurt and pain and grow up way stronger.
But, you know it’s a good thing you can’t go back. Because if you did, you would miss out on all the ways God has revealed Himself to you. You would miss out on your faith made strong through Him. You wouldn’t depend on Him as much or come close to Him as much. Don’t long for a do-over. Don’t long to go back and avoid the pain. Thank God for every way He’s taught you more about Himself. Thank God for the ways He’s taught you to depend on Him. Thank God for the weakness that points you to His strength.
Those Michigan days were beautiful and peaceful and lovely. But what the hand of God has purposed in your life is more beautiful than the smell of the rain in Michigan.
Love,
Megan
Of all the people in your life, who knows you best? Your spouse, as your other half, might get first place in this department. Or one of your parents, maybe a child, who epitomizes your closest relationship and represents what you value most. Perhaps you have an intimate friend who has walked life’s journeys with you and knows your heart.
Personally, I can think of some who know me well but none who know me fully. I’m even an enigma to myself sometimes! Does anyone ever really know us fully? Can they?
I would answer yes to both … but we won’t find them in a partner, family member, or confidant. The only one who knows us truly is our Maker and Father, God Himself.
Psalm 139 paints the picture: “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb … My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them” (13, 15-16, ESV).
Like God sculpted Adam out of the dust and breathed life into his nostrils, He is aware of every detail of our minds and bodies, because He built them.
This comforts me greatly, especially when I am appalled by my own sinfulness. Have you ever had that? Sometimes I can’t believe my own tendency to rebel, desire to indulge myself and harm others, temptation to please my flesh instead of God. Maybe you share the frustration. What is it with the human heart??
Jeremiah says it well. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” (17:9). He shares God’s Word: “I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds” (verse 10). Human beings are corrupt creatures indeed.
“Who is able to stand before the LORD, this holy God?” – 1 Samuel 6:20
In our iniquity, none of us can present ourselves before the Holy and Living God. He is perfect, sinless, all-knowing. There is nothing we can hide from Him; He sees it all, pierces through our inner intentions, and yet—loves us!
How can that be? When I study the mirror, test my thoughts, and exasperate myself with my own grievances against God, I am constantly amazed at His forbearance, forgiveness, and faithfulness to complete His good work started in me. I am a sinner, but Christ is my Savior. Until I die, I will fight the sin in my life, which Christ has already conquered and freed me from. He is sanctifying me, and you, and everyone who penitently calls upon Him name.
God’s Provision: On one hand is Psalm 76:7. But you, you are to be feared! Who can stand before you when once your anger is roused? On the other, our confident, undeserved hope. There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). Surely, whoever believes in him is not condemned! (John 3:18). His righteousness covers us—our new identity.
Word of the Week: Propitiation. A fancy way of saying atonement, appeasement, satisfaction. Christ pleased God on our behalf, fulfilling the duty we could not uphold and granting His perfection in place of our transgression. Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! (Romans 7:25).
Abby
Dear Younger Me,
You can do brave things. Your God goes before you. He loves you. He will see you through. And you can be brave. And God can do so much with your little heart, that when you take that step of courage, He holds all and is sovereign over all and can do beyond what you could ever imagine.
All the heroes of faith listed in the Bible were people who struggled and had to do hard things, but they said yes. And God worked. And displayed His power in weakness. And showed His faithfulness in failure.
Brave is hard. Brave is worth it. Brave honors God.
And again, God goes before you. You don’t need to be brave alone with your own strength when you hold the hand of God.
Love,
Megan
Have you ever borrowed something from somebody? Be it a hand mixer or a minivan, chances are you treat others’ belongings with as much, if not more, care and respect than your own.
There’s some sort of reverence in being entrusted with an item owned by someone else. It causes us to treat it well, take good care of it, and think twice about how we’re using it. At least, that’s my experience!
When I’m permitted to use something I know I’ll be returning to another, I am much more conscientious about it. I think about how they’ll respond to my actions. I appreciate them for extending such a kindness to me. I want them to be pleased with my stewardship.
Remarkably, that description characterizes my very life as well. How about yours?
Christians belong to the Lord. Actually, everything does!
The earth is the LORD’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein. – Psalm 24:1
Believers are those who have submitted to the lordship of Jesus Christ. They are baptized into the crucifixion of their Savior and raised to newness of life through His resurrection. As a follower of God, I am not my own.
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price.
– 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
For some that might seem confining, restricting … you know, enslaving. But for me (and I hope for you too!), it is incredibly freeing. It is profoundly comforting. I belong to God because He purchased me from the bondage of sin and death. My mind, heart, body, and life are no longer mine, but His.
Every part of me is committed to Him. Every thought, desire, and decision should be centered around His will. Now, that doesn’t always happen, but the pattern of my life should daily be established in that direction.
One way I’ve seen that is simply in the use of time. I tend to get frustrated when I feel like time is being wasted, whether within or out of my control. But lately God has been reminding me that time is His too. “My” agenda, schedule, calendar, whatever I try to create and claim, is not mine. It’s His, along with everything else He’s made and is sustaining.
So if you find yourself uptight or let down about things in your life, maybe this can recenter you. Whose are you? Whose do you want to be?
God’s Provision: Salvation comes in Christ alone! He is the reason we can abandon ourselves and live a new life—His life, which He laid down for us and raised up again to the glory of God the Father. I love Romans 6: “We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life” (verse 4). Amen!
Word of the Week: Ransome. “Obtain the release of (a prisoner) by making a payment demanded.” Through Christ Jesus, Almighty God has ransomed for Himself a collection of sinners-made-saints from every tribe, language, people, and nation to forever be a kingdom of His priests (Revelation 5:9-10). You and I have been rescued, redeemed, and restored! We are not our own but the beloved possession of our affectionate Savior.
Abby
