Don’t Make Perfect the Enemy of Good.
I am focusing a lot in the Old Testament lately, studying Deuteronomy, Exodus, I and II Kings.
Church, the law was so harsh! I am certain I would not have made it past childhood had this been my way of life. Praise God I was made for such a time as now, and not then... The required periods of isolation would have been my demise! I was that kid… the one that every report card sent home sited my talking as the number one fault. I remember one teacher in particular she sat me at the back corner of the classroom and literally surrounded my desk with a room divider.
True story.
What I have noticed is;
As I learn more about the law, my passion and adoration for Jesus grows stronger. My thirst for knowledge is literally unquenchable. My gratitude for His selfless, ultimate sacrifice mightily abounds.
He grace upon grace He suffered and died to provide me, humbles me beyond words could ever articulate.
As I learn more, my desire to do His will, increases and my longing to know Him cultivates discipline to spend time in His word…
This Bible I hold in my hand, this is God the Father, Jesus Christ the son and the sweet Holy Spirit.
All right here in this divine, beautiful book.
Luke 10:38-42 says,
"Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word. But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.” But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
In the Hebrew language, the word Shalom means peace, but if you say it twice, “shalom shalom”, it now is interpreted “perfect Peace.”
Now, I personally think “Martha, Martha” is probably one of the most misunderstood quotes. Most assume Jesus is disciplining Martha here, but I think Jesus was gently exposing a strong characteristic she held and wanted to shape it for her better. I can hear Him saying…” oh, perfect Martha… Here you are, making sure every little detail is perfect down to the minute detail. Sweet girl, you are missing out! Look at your sister, she is sitting here at her Master’s feet, taking it all in.
Perfect Martha… Don’t make perfect the enemy of good.”
Let read those last two verses again…
Verse 41 says,
”But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; but only one thing is necessary; for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
“Mary has chosen the good part.”
Perfection is the why behind I’m late all the time….I have struggled with being on time for years and years.
I’m late because I plan for perfection instead of making provision for what might go wrong.
This is revelation for me!
Perfection is not God‘s requirement. Perfection is a weapon of the enemy to keep us locked in self doubt, self desecration and buried in the destruction of self abuse.
Once we can see this, once we can recognize what’s happening, once we release and forgive ourselves for not being perfect then we can move forward into the things that God has for us.
Jesus said to Martha; “Martha Martha”. Twice he repeated her name. He was emphasizing perfect Martha Stop being so hard on yourself stop looking and judging others for not being you.
This is what I heard when I read this. This is what I hear and know what He’s saying to her.
Why are these 5 verses, this little short tidbit of an account of Martha and her sister so vital?
Because church, it’s the perfect demonstration of the gift of salvation.
It’s the perfect demonstration of Romans 7:6 that says,
”But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.“
We do not have to be perfect because He is perfect. Jesus is our perfect for us.
That is grace.
Hebrews 8:12 says,
“For I will be merciful toward their wrongdoings, And their sins I will no longer remember.”
I believe many believers are fearful to come close to God today and receive what they need from Him because they don't believe that God truly remembers their sins no more.
They are stuck in perfectionism.
It’s amazing to me how many won’t come to church because they feel shame and count themselves unworthy.
Oh sweet children of God, simply believe what He says, that through the provision of Jesus' sacrifice, God indeed remembers your sins no more! Start living without the cloud of guilt, shame, condemnation, and judgment over your head. Stand bold and righteous in Christ and expect to receive every perfect gift the Father longs to shower over you!
Stop waiting for you to be perfect.
Don’t make perfect the enemy of good.
