Joy: 37-Day Devotionalنموونە

Thieves come disguised in various forms. My thief came disguised as perfection. As a child, I mapped out my perfect future and set out to achieve it. I would go to college, get a great job, get married, and have children. For a short while, I thought I had succeeded in making my perfect life. I was in control with God by my side. I was certain this was His perfect plan for me.

By the age of thirty, I had a great job and a beautiful little boy, but a failing marriage. As a perfectionist, I would not consider failure an option. Despite my best efforts, I found myself sad, alone, and broken. It was at this point that I realized I was not in control. 

Shortly after my divorce, I was asked to serve as Lay Director on a ministry weekend for teenagers. I truly felt unworthy to serve in this capacity. Why would God put me in charge of such an important event when my own life was in turmoil? As it turned out, that weekend was one of the most pivotal points in my life. God showed me that He knew that I could not be perfect. I realized my need for perfection and control was stealing my joy, and not allowing God to work in my life fully. It took my walking through a hard trial to realize that in order to experience a full and abundant life in Christ, I had to submit to Him. Perfection comes only through the person of Jesus Christ. 

Several months after that weekend, God brought a wonderful man in to my life. We’ve been happily married nearly ten years and added a daughter to our family. We even have a great relationship with my son’s father. On paper, my life is far from the perfection I used to seek. However, by the grace of God, I now have what I call perfect imperfection, and it is so good!

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your goodness! Help me to keep you always at the center of my life so that I may experience Your abundant love and grace.