“Striving for excellence motivates you; striving for perfection is demoralizing” - Harriet Beryl Braiker
this quote was passed along to me when i was doing weight watchers. i remember thinking "pah! only losers would think that!" and "what's wrong with perfection?!?". as much as i hate to admit it, i tend to be a perfectionist (and some times an elitist). i often put far more pressure on myself that others do and push and push until i'm worn down and tired of it all (and afraid of disappointing everyone). there are days (and sometimes weeks) when it seems i can't get anything right. then someone like Jonathan Parnell comes along and reminds me that it is okay to not be perfect. it is okay to fail. in fact, the gospel came for those of us who are constantly making a mess of life.
God is not only a God of terrible holiness and wrath; he is also a God rich in mercy. And so he sent his Son into the world, not condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him from God’s own wrath (John 3:17). He came not to be served but to give his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). To lay down his life for the sheep (John 10:15). To bear our sins in his body on the tree (1 Peter 2:24). To provide us with a righteousness that comes, not from our law-keeping, but through faith (Philippians 3:9). And to reconcile us to God (2 Corinthians 5:18; 1 Peter 3:18).
-Taken from a May 13th post on Desiring God
Thank God for the cross that saved a sinner such as me.
