Beauty of Imperfection
A friend mentioned an unfamiliar word today. Wabi-sabi It is the art of finding beauty in imperfection. It is not only an unfamiliar word, but it is an uncomfortable concept for me. Imperfection goes against my nature. I like things perfect. I want to have a perfectly clean house and I want it to be in perfect condition in case guests stop by. Right now there are crumbs on the kitchen counter. I should have cleaned them up before I left the kitchen, but I’m here writing. Probably should have swept the floor, too.
Not only should I be a great housekeeper, I should be a perfect friend, neighbor, and coworker—wise, attentive, and helpful. I wish I’d been a perfect mother, but late at night I can recite everything I did wrong and what I should have done differently.
The more I strive for perfection, the more my own imperfections become painfully obvious. And that causes more problems. While I worry about what I’m not doing correctly, my attention is drawn inward. Focusing on my problems makes it impossible to follow Jesus’ command to love others as he loves me. (John 13:34)
That’s the clue. “As Jesus loves me.” He knows everything about me and he knows I’m not perfect. And I’m not the only one. The Bible says “none is righteous, no, not one.” Romans 3:10 ESV
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Roman 3:23 ESV
This is an imperfect world, full of other imperfect people. There was one who was perfect. Jesus Christ led a perfect life, died for our sins and imperfections, was resurrected by God, and is now sitting at the right hand of the Father in the one perfect place- Heaven. He did this for all the imperfect people. “For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified” Hebrews 10:14 ESV It is only by His grace that we are viewed as righteous by God and will live for eternity in that perfect place.
So I’ll stop focusing on my imperfections and keep my eyes on the One who is perfect. The beauty of imperfection is in knowing where perfection lives.
“he was pierced for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5 ESV
Not only should I be a great housekeeper, I should be a perfect friend, neighbor, and coworker—wise, attentive, and helpful. I wish I’d been a perfect mother, but late at night I can recite everything I did wrong and what I should have done differently.
The more I strive for perfection, the more my own imperfections become painfully obvious. And that causes more problems. While I worry about what I’m not doing correctly, my attention is drawn inward. Focusing on my problems makes it impossible to follow Jesus’ command to love others as he loves me. (John 13:34)
That’s the clue. “As Jesus loves me.” He knows everything about me and he knows I’m not perfect. And I’m not the only one. The Bible says “none is righteous, no, not one.” Romans 3:10 ESV
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Roman 3:23 ESV
This is an imperfect world, full of other imperfect people. There was one who was perfect. Jesus Christ led a perfect life, died for our sins and imperfections, was resurrected by God, and is now sitting at the right hand of the Father in the one perfect place- Heaven. He did this for all the imperfect people. “For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified” Hebrews 10:14 ESV It is only by His grace that we are viewed as righteous by God and will live for eternity in that perfect place.
So I’ll stop focusing on my imperfections and keep my eyes on the One who is perfect. The beauty of imperfection is in knowing where perfection lives.
“he was pierced for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5 ESV
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Pride and Quarrels - James 4
Acceptance - James 2
Change of Heart
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