Scripture Passage:  “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that you have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.”   I Peter 5:10

 

Dear Friends,

 

     I hate mistakes.  I like things done right and the right way.  I have a low tolerance for stupidity.  My motto is, “No excuses.”  I want my work to be exemplary and anything my name is associated with to be top notch.  I want to be perfect in my profession and spotless in my calling.  I have one major problem.

 

 

     Everything I have ever worked on has flaws.  My preaching, singing, playing and even craftsmanship has been plagued with mistakes.  I have worked for hours studying for a sermon only to get up and misquote a Scripture or mispronounce a name.  I have practiced over the years for thousands of hours preparing for a concert or performance only to be disappointed when a note or rhythm was missed.  I have enjoyed working on tractors and lawnmowers but every single one of them has a run in the paint somewhere or a scratch that has been touched up.  I laugh and say if I ever buy a new vehicle, I might as well go ahead and put a scratch or ding in it because if I do not do it, someone else will.  I told Patty one time I would like to have a room in our house that no one could go in, including me.  I could just open the door and look in and everything would be neat, clean, and in its place.  She said that would not work either because everything would get dusty.  I have been called a perfectionist, but that is not true.  I am just a “wanna be” who is plagued by his imperfections.

 

     In the Apostle Paul’s day pottery and earthen vessels were produced, bought and sold, and used for multiple purposes.  Sometimes when a pot had a crack in it, wax would be melted into it and glazed over to hide the flaw.  The only way to see it was to hold it up to the light.  The item could look perfect at a distance, but be seriously flawed up close.  Our lives are a lot like that.  We give the perception of having it all together, but close examination reveals that we are really just cracked pots.  When held up to “The Light,” we are covered in flaws and mistakes.

 

     Paul said in his second letter to the Corinthians that we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.  II Corinthians 4:7   I keep returning to this Scripture time and again.   The only perfect thing in my life is Christ who lives in me.  He is my greatest treasure, perfect in every way.  If I were perfect maybe I would not need Him so much.  Maybe I would think more highly of myself than I should.  I must be reminded the excellency is found in God and not in me.  I will never be perfect this side of eternity, but the suffering and mistakes I endure help mold me into the image of God.  Be patient, for the potter is still working on me.

 

In Christ,

Pastor Johnny