Written by Corina Díaz, volunteer with Iron Sister Ministries in Buenos Aires, Argentina
A few years ago, I decided to learn to play the guitar. I dreamed of being able to praise God with my own hands, play chords, and sing to Him freely. I practiced, I got frustrated, my fingers hurt, some notes came out wrong, and I compared myself to others. And, on more than one occasion, I thought, “This isn't for me. I'll never be good. I'll never be… perfect.”
And then that phrase became familiar. I repeated it to myself in many other areas of my life:
"But I can't be perfect…
…as a wife,
…as a friend,
…as a daughter of God.”
Sometimes we demand so much of ourselves that we feel that if we fail to meet a visible standard of "holiness," then we are not worthy. We forget that the Christian life is not a life of perfection, but of redemption.
Jesus doesn't ask us for perfection. He offers us transformation.
There's a cultural and often religious pressure to "do everything right." But Jesus never called perfect disciples; He called fishermen, tax collectors, women with difficult pasts, impulsive young people, and ordinary people like you and me.
Jesus doesn't expect us to come to Him fixed; He welcomes us broken and restores us.
My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. (2Co 12:9 NKJV)
This verse changed my perspective. I don't have to be enough. I don't have to do it alone. Jesus’ perfection makes up for my weakness, my clumsiness, my falls, and my imperfection.
Does practice make perfect?
We could say yes if we understand that practice isn't just about doing things well, but about allowing ourselves to be formed by the Master. Our practice is to surrender every day, to try again, and never to give up. We do this not to achieve human perfection, but out of love for the One who loved us first.
…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Php 1:6 NIV)
God is working in us; we just have to allow Him to do it: surrender to Him what we are, what we are not, and what we cannot be, because when we do, He works wonders.
I want to share with you my prayer, which I titled:
Prayer of the Heart
Lord Jesus:
I come to you just as I am.
Not perfect, not enough, not capable on my own.
But here I am, with my weaknesses, my failures, and my attempts.
Thank you for not asking me for perfection, but for a relationship.
I surrender my imperfections, my desire for control, and my fear of failure to you. Teach me to practice Your presence, Your Word, and Your grace every day.
And may my life be a work in Your hands.
Amen.
