I feel like you need to hear this. Or maybe I just need the reminder again.
It’s ok to not be perfect. I got wrapped up in this lie for a long time…and still struggle with it on occasion. The idea that being a Christian, or being in ministry, somehow means I need to be perfect. That I am no longer allowed to make mistakes, or if I do I need to hide them because people might think differently about me if they knew the truth.
I’ve thought at times that my imperfections somehow disqualified me from ministry. How could God use someone like me to do something meaningful for Him? I’ve got all these flaws and broken areas that seem to overshadow everything else. Don’t get me wrong, I’m constantly growing and my heart has a desire to change, but the truth is it seems like the moment I get one area “fixed” another imperfection makes an appearance. This process will never be over.
What complicates the process, or rather distracts us, is the comparison game. You compare your growth (or youth group) to someone else’s. Comparison will always get you in trouble and it’s never a reliable reflection of reality. We can all agree that we’re different– we’ve got different stories, different skills, different gifts, and different challenges. Different is good. It’s how God intended it.
The thing is, God doesn’t pick perfect people. He picks broken people. He picks weak people. He picks those the world has discarded. He picks the people that wouldn’t “make the team.” He picks the outcasts.
God picked you.
Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And He chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God. God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made Him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; He made us pure and holy, and He freed us from sin. Therefore, as the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the LORD.” (1 Corinthians 1: 27-31)
And because God has selected you it means that you are the perfect fit for the things He has called you to– including your church and the ministry He has you serving in. He knows you won’t always get it right and He’s pleased with you anyway. Continue allowing Him to refine you, but rest in the fact that He loves you regardless.
In the end, all of our imperfections are just spotlights on His grace. That He’d take someone like you and someone like me and use us to love and bless others. Don’t let your imperfections be hindrances, but one more way you can show others the goodness of an amazing God.