Our family loves The Sound Of Music. As we often listen to the soundtrack as we drive, we loudly sing along with slight natural undesired modifications of the tune, at times of the lyrics too.
Julie Andrews angelically sings one line that I take as my daily slogan: So, let them bring on all their problems, I’ll do better than my best.
I strive for perfection in all aspects of my life. Most times, I aim to do better than my best.
In my relationships, I aim to please others finding it hard to say ‘No’.
In my home responsibilities, I am on edge if laundry is piling up in the hampers, dishes stacking up in the sink, and if crumbs are to be detected on the floor.
In managing our kids, I aim to have it all under control: their meals, their wardrobes, their medical charts, their chores and tasks, their verses to be memorized, even their attitudes.
In my relationship with Jesus, I am guilt driven if I don’t spend quality time in studying the Bible, and if I couldn’t manage praying diligently for all I said I would.
I try hard to do better than my best. And that can get exhausting. I expect of myself to be perfect as Jesus says in Matthew 5:48 “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” I was looking at the Greek version of this text. I found it fascinating.
The word ‘be perfect’ is τέλειοι [teleioi] refers to being complete, having reached its end. A relative word was used by Jesus in his last declaration on the cross τετέλεσται [tetelestai]. Both terms coming from [telos], which means complete, reached its end, paid in full.
When I am reaching the end of myself, God picks up the slack for me. And He already did on the cross. He perfected my imperfections.
This verse should not discourage me when I fail to be perfect, when I don’t live up to everyone’s expectations, or mine, for that matter. This passage shows us our own insufficiency, and should stir in us our dependency toward Christ. More on my knees and less on my toes. (“Christ in us the hope of glory.”)
This is not a voucher for sloppiness in my relationships, or my responsibilities. It’s a gift card of Grace bestowed on others, and even on me. It’s a reminder that Jesus wears the S (Superhero) on His chest, and not me.
I’ll still do better than my best, because the Bible teaches me “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Colossians 3:23-24
But, when things don’t match my expectations, I need not to panic, and I need to embrace what seems messy.
I simply need to remember that I was not intended to be in the control tower in the first place. I shouldn’t give into despair, panic, worry, fear, etc. God will manage to land safely unresolved issues, and will give wings to matters that weigh heavy on our hearts in His timing. He knows best. He sees from the top. Even what appears as a clash to me, He’s never left the control tower. So, I need to stop trying to climb up there with my self-righteousness, and my self-sufficiency.
As we role up our sleeves and dive into the day, may our anthem be:
So, let them bring on all their problems
I’ll do better than my best for Jesus
I am certain I’ll be put to the test
But I’ll make them see I have confidence in Jesus
Read and Meditate: Philippians 3
“If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more… But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ…
..I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ…
…many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.”