A friend sent me a quote recently… “The opposite of contentment is comparison”. She shared it after reading my last blog, where I wrote about the difficulty of finding contentment when we compare ourselves to an ideal. This can be especially challenging for Christians when our standard is Jesus Christ! The solution I want to offer this week is simple but not necessarily easy… We gain contentment when we are willing to let go of perfectionism.
Sometimes, we try to ‘become better’ by doing ‘good things’. We squeeze time into our already crowded schedules for Bible Study, prayer, volunteering. These are all great ways to connect with God and others. But whenever we do these things (as good as they are) in an attempt to measure up to some ideal standard, we are operating in perfectionism.
What I have noticed looking at the citrus trees in our backyard is, before the first bud of fruit ever appears, I see a blossom. Although the blossom itself is beautiful, the blossom must fall off for the developing fruit to be revealed. The problem for some of us is that we have held onto our perfectionism, like a beautiful blossom that we don’t want to die. (In fact, I’ve even been guilty of using Miracle Grow!)
After all, many of us have accomplished a lot and society has rewarded us. We have worked hard to attain our goals, personally and professionally. But no matter how much we have achieved through our efforts, perfectionism is a rival of God’s power. The flower of perfectionism fades in comparison to His magnificence working in us that brings forth fruit resembling Him. Not only that, but the fragrance of perfectionism is anxiety, never contentment.
It is easy to lose sight that only His life flowing through us brings about lasting transformation. We need to remember, we can only bear His image when we abide in Him like a branch abides in the vine. As long as the branch of an apple tree is connected to the trunk (and it has proper nutrients, light, and water), we can be confident it will produce fruit easily identified as apples. Similarly, it is His life in us that produces fruit revealing His character… Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control... A harvest overflowing with contentment!
Perfectionism is a poor imitation of His Spirit. Are you willing to let go of it and your attempt to measure up to your ideal? In my next blog, I look forward to sharing some more thoughts regarding contentment. Until then, I pray you experience the ‘branch life’. May you enjoy the stillness of contentment that comes simply through your connection with Him.
God Bless~ Deb
As always, please feel free to comment below. :-)