Perfect

I’m not sure why God insists on using people to do His will on the earth.

People are selfish, wasteful, and sinful. But He forgives us, seventy times seven fashion, if we come to Him in contrition and ask.

People are weak and imperfect. But He just puts us back on that holy potter’s wheel of His and makes us useful if we yield to His correction and transformation.

As a writer I find myself frustrated with my imperfections. The things in my past that I wish I could change. The times I hosted a book reading and nobody showed up. The book sales that just didn’t roll in. The things I wrote that flopped despite my best efforts. My failures. I could list them for hours on end. Couldn’t we all?

But then I stop and I consider these words:

“If you’re called to write, then write your best. For some, it will mean big dollars and a huge audience. For others not-so-big dollars and a smaller readership. Some of the best books of all time haven’t ever made a bestseller list or even been read by that many people. We’re called to obedience, not notoriety. We’re called to significance, not success.”
~Chip Macgregor, literary agent

So like Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:10, for Christ’s sake I delight in weaknesses and hardships, in brokenness and difficulty. For when I am weak, I am strong and perfect.

I’m not called to be successful. In fact, success is not what God desires of me. He looks at me with all my past failures and He smiles. Then gently whispers one word: Perfect.