Be Ye Perfect, As I Pretend To Be Perfect
Have you ever noticed that folks that pretend to be perfect seem to always expect you to follow suit and pretend to have it all together yourself? It’s almost as if someone pretending to be perfect can’t handle imperfections in their own lives and somehow that bleeds into an overcritical reaction to others imperfections.
I think we have all seen that in someone at one point or another, and I’m sure we have been that person at one point or another. If I am struggling with something in my life and refuse to allow it to show, and someone around me is very open about their struggle, do I refuse to accept that they are being real? None of us are perfect. None of us don’t struggle with loneliness, greed, anger, pride, sadness, hurt. None of us are immune to the problems that this world with throw at us.
I think that division comes when we start to pretend that those things don’t affect us, and react to others that are affected. When we look down our nose at someone because they can’t pretend to have it together like I am pretending I do. When someone’s struggle infringes on my pseudo-utopia. It’s harder to accept others and assist them in their struggle when your bravado gets in the way.
Wow lack of sleep and bus travel brings out deep thought. I think I see what you are saying. To me its like when we are so fixed on our own perspective that we don’t see things as the Lord does. The timing of your comment is very interesting.
This past Wednesday night it came out at church that a senior girl in the youth group was pregnant. I was in a small group with about a dozen teens right after that, and these were the exact thoughts I and another guy were sharing with them. Don’t pass judgment – we’re no better. We all sin, in the present tense, and we all need grace. Don’t care who or how, just show love.
Remember the conversation we had in the great Metropolis of Okeechobee over dinner about “pretending to be perfect?”
dude… i just got a call from a friend who is passing through dallas tonight. i’d totally planned on being at the hob show, but it looks like i’m gonna have to miss it… i hope the tour’s going well and the show is stellar!
So, who ticked you off, Brody?
Shaun…they ARE in Texas, so that could be a long list of people…being a Texan myself, I know what it is like to be perfect, and I know how hard it is for other people to live up to this standard.
Oh…and just for the record, my name is Molly (for those of you who did not know). I was going to change my display name to end the confusion, but I forgot you can’t.
No pretending here buddy. Glimmering. Like the sun.
Nice timing with this topic, Brody. I just wrote about it yesterday on my blog after hearing a sermon by Kevin Twit where he said “I don’t know why people are surprised or embarrassed when they find out their faith is weak and full of holes. It’s because they are weak and full of holes.”
Brody…beautifully said !! If the Pastors could be this real with the congregation the sheep would be a lot healthier !!!! Sometimes it seems as if people are being conformed into merely workers for Christ but are losing out on the compassion of Christ ….and that is so wrong. I am a lay counselor at church…and I see the hurt that this brings upon people. And we look around and wonder why unbelievers aren’t knocking down the church doors to get in….God forbid we lose the compassion to Love others like Christ…no matter what they are going through.
note to Shawn….your blog wont let me post on it!