Being an artist, I always love reading the descriptions of the temple, in all of its stages throughout the Bible. They've become more vivid to me as I've practiced imagining the details in my mind's eye. The varied way that the Spirit of Wisdom worked in Solomon-- either in the practicalities of business, or in the beautiful details of an artistic vision-- is a vivid picture of how God's wisdom is a priceless endowment in every area of life. Christ is now building His temple, the Church, as a habitation for God's name, and the glory that permeates His workmanship, through the Spirit of Wisdom, is what sets the Church apart and makes her great in every area of influence.
The same Spirit of Wisdom works through the members of Christ's Body today. No matter what our endeavors and areas of gifting are, the Spirit of Wisdom, when allowed to guide and empower, will enable us to glorify God by helping us to achieve a level of excellence that shines. I am reminded that when people began to notice Jesus, they commented that He did "all things well." The fact that Solomon did "all things well" clues us in to the concept that he is a "type and shadow" of Christ. Think how glorious His reign will be! Do you ever let yourself imagine what that time will be like? I certainly do!
Nobody that I know does "all things well"! I'm good at several things, but I'm terrible with numbers! Lucky for me, my husband Bob is a whiz! He, on the other hand, has some holes in his abilities that I can fill nicely. We're a good team! And this is the glory of oneness: not only in marriage, but in the Body of Christ, the Church! As we each do our part by the Spirit of Wisdom and Excellence, we participate in building a living temple for the glory of God's name. "O LORD, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth!" Psalm 8:9
We should never look down on someone because their part doesn't look spiritual to us. Everyone has a duty, whether they are prophets or plumbers, to walk in the Spirit, and thus shine with God's wisdom and excellence, which is part of His glory. As for the saints who are on the earth, "They are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight." Psalm 16:3 Being excellent in all we do is not about getting glory for ourselves (which is worldliness), but is all about showing forth the glory of God.
Sadly, a religious spirit of false humility has, over the decades, tended to tarnish the Church's ability to shine forth the glory, promoting, in many individuals, a need to diminish the light of Christ in themselves. If we are truly walking in the Spirit, we will do whatever it is we do, whether small or great, in an attitude of worship, which will allow God's excellence to be seen.
Even when something is unnoticed by people, excellence glorifies God! One of the marks of quality-- for example, of a piece of designer clothing-- is that even the hidden seams are marked with excellence of workmanship. Never think that what you do doesn't matter-- it's all part of the Church's reason for existence: to glorify God's name.
Don't get discouraged if you feel like you're not doing excellently! Jesus is still the Author and Finisher! It's our job to take His yoke upon us and learn of Him, not stress and strive in a perfectionistic way. (see how today's Psalm addresses this: Psalm 127:1-2). He will teach and guide, and if we just keep on being faithful, we will eventually do excellently without even trying.
Jesus Christ is excellent. If you're born of God, and if the Spirit of God lives in you, you are made of excellent material! As Christ is formed in you, you will become-- you are becoming-- more and more excellent, just like Him!
Showing posts with label perfectionism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label perfectionism. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Monday, February 22, 2010
February 22, 2010
The Leviticus passage seemed strange and irrelevant until I looked at it from a spiritual standpoint. Then it reminded me of our High Priest, Jesus Christ, who is working to make His Bride pure and holy and without spot or blemish.
I think it's pretty normal to notice every little blemish or wrinkle, pimple or rash, wonder what it is and want to get rid of it. This is true in the natural, and in the spiritual too. We are built to want perfection, aren't we?
I used to get so frustrated with my imperfections, when I was younger-- so much so that I became anorexic trying to "control" my body. But the more we try to control things and fix our imperfections, the worse they seem to get. For one thing, we often can't even tell what are actually imperfections, as many of us don't accept ourselves the way God made us. This goes for our physical bodies as well as our psychological and spiritual make up.
Often we can't discern whether something is a serious problem, or just something that will go away on its own. We tend to run to an expert for a diagnosis to assuage our worries. I was also a very anxious hypochondriac as a young woman, until I learned to go to Jesus for a diagnosis. This was very necessary for me, as I was always having one problem or another, and it was very expensive and embarrassing to go to the doctor and find out nothing was wrong with me-- except nerves!! I got a LOT of practice listening to the Lord, and getting His reassurance that I wasn't going to die that day!
I think we have the same issue with sin-- and I'm talking about "missing the mark", not just something obvious spelled-out in Scripture. Whether we have an overbearing conscience and always think we're doing something wrong, or we have a blurry concept of right and wrong which allows us a lot of "sloppy grace", we tend to run to people to get their opinions on whether we are OK or not. This can really get us into trouble, depending on whose opinions we are seeking! There are lots of sources for false guilt, and well as many opportunities to feel justified when we are not.
Sure, we should be able to receive correction if we need it, and know how to get help when we are struggling, but as we grow, we should be finding it easier to be corrected by the Scriptures and by the nudges the Holy Spirit is constantly giving us. The best pastor or counselor is the one who teaches people to seek and hear the Lord for themselves.
What it comes down to is that Jesus, our faithful High Priest, who can scrutinize us closely without violating us in any way, is the only One who is authorized to decide if we are OK or not, including ourselves! We may hear something from another person through which the Holy Spirit may point out an issue and give help towards healing, but it's the Lord and the Spirit of Wisdom and Counsel that will speak to us. When we are His, we will know His voice. When we go to Him with something that's bothering us, He will show us what the problem is and what to do about it. That is part of intimacy.
Once we get used to the idea that Jesus sees everything about us, and stills loves us and accepts us, we will be quicker to go to Him and let His light reveal all. Sometimes He'll reveal that the thing we don't like about ourselves is something He created and will use. But if He reveals a problem or blemish, He will have the clear discernment of what it is and what is to be done about it, and He will treat us with love.
We can't fix ourselves or the rest of the Church, and make a Bride worthy of Him. But we can proclaim His purposes and His goodness and lead the way in pursuing His revealing truth. We will be brought into perfectly-pleasing-ness if we remain in Him.
I think it's pretty normal to notice every little blemish or wrinkle, pimple or rash, wonder what it is and want to get rid of it. This is true in the natural, and in the spiritual too. We are built to want perfection, aren't we?
I used to get so frustrated with my imperfections, when I was younger-- so much so that I became anorexic trying to "control" my body. But the more we try to control things and fix our imperfections, the worse they seem to get. For one thing, we often can't even tell what are actually imperfections, as many of us don't accept ourselves the way God made us. This goes for our physical bodies as well as our psychological and spiritual make up.
Often we can't discern whether something is a serious problem, or just something that will go away on its own. We tend to run to an expert for a diagnosis to assuage our worries. I was also a very anxious hypochondriac as a young woman, until I learned to go to Jesus for a diagnosis. This was very necessary for me, as I was always having one problem or another, and it was very expensive and embarrassing to go to the doctor and find out nothing was wrong with me-- except nerves!! I got a LOT of practice listening to the Lord, and getting His reassurance that I wasn't going to die that day!
I think we have the same issue with sin-- and I'm talking about "missing the mark", not just something obvious spelled-out in Scripture. Whether we have an overbearing conscience and always think we're doing something wrong, or we have a blurry concept of right and wrong which allows us a lot of "sloppy grace", we tend to run to people to get their opinions on whether we are OK or not. This can really get us into trouble, depending on whose opinions we are seeking! There are lots of sources for false guilt, and well as many opportunities to feel justified when we are not.
Sure, we should be able to receive correction if we need it, and know how to get help when we are struggling, but as we grow, we should be finding it easier to be corrected by the Scriptures and by the nudges the Holy Spirit is constantly giving us. The best pastor or counselor is the one who teaches people to seek and hear the Lord for themselves.
What it comes down to is that Jesus, our faithful High Priest, who can scrutinize us closely without violating us in any way, is the only One who is authorized to decide if we are OK or not, including ourselves! We may hear something from another person through which the Holy Spirit may point out an issue and give help towards healing, but it's the Lord and the Spirit of Wisdom and Counsel that will speak to us. When we are His, we will know His voice. When we go to Him with something that's bothering us, He will show us what the problem is and what to do about it. That is part of intimacy.
Once we get used to the idea that Jesus sees everything about us, and stills loves us and accepts us, we will be quicker to go to Him and let His light reveal all. Sometimes He'll reveal that the thing we don't like about ourselves is something He created and will use. But if He reveals a problem or blemish, He will have the clear discernment of what it is and what is to be done about it, and He will treat us with love.
We can't fix ourselves or the rest of the Church, and make a Bride worthy of Him. But we can proclaim His purposes and His goodness and lead the way in pursuing His revealing truth. We will be brought into perfectly-pleasing-ness if we remain in Him.
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