“Free to Fail”
We’re supposed to fail. Isn’t that actually a comforting thought? How is that comforting? Because it takes the monkey of perfectionism off our backs and places it back in an environment where it can actually be enjoyed. I like watching monkeys frolic in their habitat at the zoo or on Animal Planet, but if those wild varmints got too close, if they started invading my space, like they do in India, I’d get a little uptight! While in Peru, we just couldn’t take our eyes off this cute little monkey from the jungle someone held in a crate. But we were warned not to get too close or he might bite.At some time or another I can’t help but believe that we all have gotten a little too close to perfectionism–to trying to become perfect. And I’d imagine a few of us have even been bit. We’ve failed and the pain of imperfection has left us licking our wounds, blaming ourselves and sometimes biting back with bitter rebellion. (I’ve realized we often rebel not just because we want our way, but because we cannot do it His way.) And I feel sure that if you haven’t failed then you’ve probably succeeded to a point of even greater misery.
Whatever your experience may be, something in us is drawn to things going right. We expect perfection. What do you think makes us relish in a “perfect sunset?” Why is it that we are set free and experience such satisfaction with a beautiful fall day, an obedient child, a perfect season (like Dorman cross country and football have had so far this year), a score of “100” on a test, or a perfect relationship? (Well, I’m not sure that exists–Ha!–but we do have our moments.)
We were created perfectly and we were made for perfection. This is why heaven is so appealing. We know this is where we belong, where we will experience perfect peace and pleasure, because the presence of God makes all things perfect. But what about here and what about now? Is it possible to find perfection in this life? Jesus preached “you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matt. 5:48; Lev. 19:2). Surely God would not command the impossible would He?
Listen quickly. Jesus came as a prophet under the Law. He had to be perfect to be the unblemished Lamb of God and He preached perfection to raise the bar for wanna-be perfectionists. But did He expect that we could do it? He did not, but He knew that we would have to be convinced of it ourselves. Jesus said, “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Mt. 19:26). Through the Law, we were set up to fail: “The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more” (Rm. 5:20). Yes, we are supposed to fail, to recognize and admit our imperfection.The environment in which perfection can actually be enjoyed is “in Christ.” When you are in Christ, the commands of God become promises, because Jesus fulfills in you all that is required:
