Spiritual Perfectionism

Have you ever been around a perfectionist?   I have a recovering perfectionist in my life.  It can drive you crazy!   They’re obsessed with details and may even need to change you so you fit in with the order they need in their lives.  I was complaining about this one day to God and He reminded me of this, “When you’re upset with something in someone else’s life, it’s only a mirror reflecting your own life!”   I replied, “I am NOT a perfectionist!!!!!   Am I???”

And God immediately revealed the SPIRITUAL perfectionism in my life and began a long work to uproot it.  

My spiritual perfectionism looked like this:

•CONTROL 

•Striving to please God. 

•Not wanting one thing left undone so as not to displease God. 

•Jumping through spiritual hoops (studying the Word of God intensely, being a “good girl,” doing all the right things)

•Wanting those around me to fit into the mold I’d created.  

•Having a critical spirit towards those who weren’t jumping through hoops. 

It’s all such a fine line.  We are to please God, we should study the Word of God, train others how to walk with God.  Right?   But it all comes down to our motive. Why are we doing those things?  What are we trying to attain?

My motive was to be one of God’s favorites—I wanted to be noticed by Him.  I also needed to control those around me so they could please Him, too.  Even as I write that, I realize how messed up that is!  But it was hidden so deeply within me that I could never have given words to it when I was in the middle of it.  But God in his mercy began pulling back the curtains so I could see it and change it.  It’s the heart of a Pharisee—measuring the tithe of mint, anise, and cumin—and passing over justice, mercy, and love. 

I’m a recovering spiritual perfectionist.  I know I could never have attained God’s favor—because I already had it!!  Even in my messed up state. 

Grace.  God’s matchless, unfailing, unlimited grace.