When we run from our dysfunctions, we are ill-equipped for what is in store for us. We seem to find ourselves facing one crisis after another. Often, we walk right into them as if we planned it that way. Self-sabotage is something we practice on a regular basis but really don’t understand why.
No matter where we go, conflict soon follows. As it turns out, our self-defense techniques are portable. We carry them from one relationship to another; one job to another; one church to another. We are searching for the perfect hideaway. We hope someday our dysfunctions will magically disappear and we will never see them again. But time after time, we are hit head-on with a new threat to our well-being and those same dysfunctions rear their ugly heads again…
When caught up in a moment of testing, we must resist letting our feelings and circumstances serve as a litmus test for our faith. It is not healthy, nor is it accurate.
Tests are for the express purpose of developing patience. Whether the tests come from internal or external forces, they have a purpose. Some of the tests we face are due to our own weaknesses and might easily become our demise, but even then, God always has a better plan. Any test that activates patience is beneficial. Guilt and blame serve no purpose.
Patience tells us that tests are only temporary. Patience tells us that God is doing a good work in us, and He will complete it. Patience tells us not to judge our walk by one random stumble. Patience keeps us steady as we wait for the storm to pass.
It is patience that we lack when we throw up our hands and give up. It is patience that we lack when we question our progress. It is patience that will get us to the finish line. It is patience that will help us be gentle with ourselves.
Sometimes, our tests are random and spring up like a pop quiz. Other times, an ominous test looms far in the future, and we struggle to avoid it. However, considering our passage from James, we need not avoid tests. They all have a purpose; even the ones we fail. If the test teaches us to be patient, with ourselves, with God, or with another human being, we have passed. With God, we are always in a win-win situation.
Our tests are to develop patience. The work of patience is to develop perfection. There is no fast track from one to the other. Each test takes time. That’s where patience does its work.
When the roads are easy, we feel joy in looking back to see how far we’ve come. When the roads are difficult, we seem to take one step forward, two steps back. Sometimes we slip and fall. Sometimes we just stand still and shrug. Even when we do finally get on firm footing again and start to move forward, we scold ourselves for not being stronger, more resilient, or more determined.
We aren’t sure what to call these moments of uncertainty. The word ‘backsliding’ seems way too judgmental. The last thing we need is to feel more isolated and cut off from God than we already do.
One evening without notice, a moment of grace fell on our Friday night group. One member shared a passage from the book of James. It altered our perspective about these irritating, uninspiring days when we are simply putting one foot in front of the other.
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:2-4
As it turns out, perfection doesn’t have anything to do with stopping bad habits, attending church, or memorizing scriptures. Perfection is about becoming like our Father. Loving toward all, even those who don’t deserve it, treating everyone the same, whether friend or foe, and praying for those with whom we struggle. It requires a huge investment, but it also promises a big payout.
We are perfect now, just like the tiny green tomatoes are perfect. We have great potential. The fulfillment of our potential, however, is contingent on how willing we are to set aside personal feelings or judgements toward others and treat them like our Father does.
This effort does not go unrewarded. Pure perfection is our spiritual inheritance. It is who we are, and it is where we are going.
Carrying a grudge and getting even is often considered a power move that gives one the upper hand. But as we level up, we must weigh the cost of personal vendettas against the value of our own perfection potential. We must realize that feuds and hostilities are just too costly. Nothing is more appealing than living up to our full potential. We want so much to be like our Father that no one, not even our enemies, can prevent us from being kind.
People commonly use the word perfect to describe a newborn baby. Babies are inadequate in every way. They are unable to feed themselves, walk, read, or even roll over. Sometimes they cry or make messes. Yet, we say they are perfect. Every stage is perfect and necessary in the process of transitioning to the next stage.
A tiny green tomato on the vine is a perfect tomato, although it does not have the color, flavor, or texture of a fully ripened tomato. The tiny green fruit is perfect, but it is not yet useful for its intended purpose. If it remains on the vine, the perfect green tomato will grow into its full potential. And throughout each stage of its growth, it will continue to be perfect.
Thus, we conclude that perfection is about potential. Perfection has little to do with current behavior or ability, but a lot to do with our mindset. Perfection is a state of being which maintains continuous momentum toward progress…
“Being confident of this very thing, that he, who hath begun a good work in you, will perfect it unto the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6
It feels wrong to say we are perfect. We aren’t quite sure how to align the character qualities of honesty and humility with such a bold statement. It seems like both a brag and a lie.
Yet, we believe in a God of faith, who “calls things that are not, as if they are” (Romans 4:17). His words make things happen and His words say we are being made perfect.
Therefore, if we remove the dimension of time, we can most assuredly say that somewhere in time, it has happened. Therefore, we step outside of time and claim it now. We call out what God has promised and continue declaring it until the truth becomes our reality…
Therefore, be perfect, even as your Father who is in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:48
We wonder why Jesus would make such an outrageous suggestion. How could we possibly ever be perfect?
Ironically, when we claim that we are not perfect, we are speaking in direct opposition to these words of Jesus. We certainly don’t want to do that!
Since we believe that the words of Jesus are our truth, His invitation to be perfect sparks our curiosity and draws us into its multi-dimensional mystery. If He said it, it must be something reasonable and attainable. At least it is, somewhere in time.
When God said, “Let there be light,” He was speaking into the darkness. Therefore, when Jesus invites us to be perfect, He is speaking into our imperfections, calling for a manifestation of our original design.
Greed, lust, strife, envy, deception, and fear were familiar to us. Generosity, honesty, loyalty, wisdom, honor, and humility existed outside of our comfort zone. These traits seemed unattainable for those of us who seemed so deeply damaged.
We sometimes felt it was impossible to be comfortable in such unfamiliar territory.
Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.” (Mark 10:27)
Within these words of Jesus, we found our stability. We stopped beating ourselves up for failing to accomplish what no human could. We realized our New Normal was a gift from God. We could not force it or coerce it. We would not need to use our old manipulation techniques to con Him into giving us a new life.
We found relief in knowing that it was His pleasure to make us into the people He designed us to be.
Together, we explored the truth and finality of the power of Jesus’ words which delivered complete healing, grace, and forgiveness to all of mankind.
Not only did it call an end to addiction, dysfunction, and criminal behaviors, but it created a starting point for the beginning of something new, powerful, and unexpected. On the third floor of an old stone prison chapel, we embarked on a weekly tour of Jesus words and works. We explored, discovered, and embraced the expansive impact of His words, “It is finished!” into other areas of our lives where we still struggled.
There we found freedom, commitment, courage, grace, love, compassion, fulfillment, and the desire to face our ailments and our addictions head on and in a permanent manner. Christ’s grace and what he did on the cross cannot be undone and neither can his words “It is finished.”
We documented what we discovered in that old prison Chapel. We wanted to preserve for others the testimony of our experience with the power of Tetelestai. Jesus’ word had enabled us to move out of a lifestyle of relapse, despair, hopelessness, and criminal behaviors. We were able to move into something life-changing, and life-preserving, just like Christ’s work on the cross. We were excited to share how Jesus made us each a new creation.
You have always known that God has a special plan for your life, but the questions of what, when, how, and where, remain unanswered.
Like Moses, you have a burning desire to impact the lives of others, bringing social justice to a world filled with inequalities.
You faithfully spend your days tending to the duties of life, while watching for opportunities to make a positive difference in the lives of those you encounter.
When the time is right, you will experience your own ‘burning bush moment’. It may come in the form of a dream, an event, a chance encounter, or an angelic appearance, but when it happens, you will know it.
The encounter will be powerful, surprising, and life changing.
When your burning bush moment comes, you may feel insufficiently equipped for the task God is asking of you. Don’t worry. Moses had the same response.
Thankfully, God in His divine wisdom and mercy, had already picked out a helper for him. Moses’ brother Aaron was called by God to bolster his confidence and help him succeed at the mission for which he’d been called.
In the same manner, you too will be aided by others whom God has called to assist you in your call.
Keep watching for these helpers as you continue your journey. They may cross your path at the least expected moment, bringing clarity and confidence to your mission.
Your call is genuine, unique, and totally out of the ordinary.
God’s plan for you is exciting, terrifying, and truly satisfying.
Your life on this planet is destined to make a significant impact on the lives of many who don’t even know you.
Your burning bush moment is sure to change the trajectory of your life and give you a divine sense of purpose.
Wait for it. Be prepared to do whatever God asks of you, even if you feel inadequate, intimidated, or unprepared.
God will empower you to pursue His call and He will give you the helpers you need to make it a stunning success.
Finding Total Recovery in the Words of Christ, "It is Finished!" 