I have struggled with perfectionism all of my life. I had to make straight A’s, make decisions that others approve of and be all things to all people. I have always struggled to admit mistakes or weaknesses because of what others might think of me. I wanted to shine for Christ but only through my perfections – never through my brokenness.
Then one day, I read about two pieces of pottery. One was perfect, beautiful, no blemishes, and no imperfections. It had been lovingly and carefully sculpted by its creator.
The other was cracked and ugly. It too had been carefully crafted but over time it had become broken and scarred.
Which one would you want adorning your coffee table or entry way? For most of us, the choice would be obvious. The beautiful one – the one that guests would admire as they entered our home. If by chance, we were to have the misfortune of owning the ugly one, we might consider hiding it in a closet or a drawer in case someone dropped by unexpectedly. That is, until that thunderstorm hit, knocking out a transformer and leaving us in the dark.
While the first one is a thing of beauty to be admired, it is almost completely useless in the dark. Sure, it would offer a small amount of light, but not enough to bring comfort to anyone during that dreadful storm. That ugly one, however, this would be the night to bring it out. As the rain pounds on the roof and the thunder rumbles so loudly your heart stops, you desperately search for that ugly, broken, scarred pottery. Why? Because the light shines so brightly from its cracks and imperfections. Through its own brokenness, it brings joy and comfort to the one it serves.
How has life broken you? Perhaps you have made choices that you aren’t proud of. Maybe you are facing an illness, financial devastation or job loss. Maybe you have been the victim of rape or childhood abuse. Perhaps you have lost someone dear to you. Your brokenness is an opportunity to shine. Imagine the delight you bring to your Creator as you allow His light to shine through your heartache, your tears, and your imperfections towards Him – our Heavenly Father.
Don’t let satan lie to you and tell you that you can’t shine because you are too broken, too scratched, too flawed. How many opportunities have we missed because we believed that we couldn’t shine unless we were perfect.
The truth is, our light shines so much brighter when we acknowledge the hurts, the trials, the mistakes that we have made, the difficulties that life throws at us. Only then will we bring glorify to the One who heals the pain, who provides for every need and who offers a comfort and a peace that exceeds all human understanding. The Creator, who lovingly sculpted each one of us and longs to have a relationship with those He created, will be glorified when we stop hiding our imperfections and instead shine through them!
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we have received from God. 2 Corinthians 1: 3-4
*Thank you to Shawn Mobley for creating the pottery.
With Eyes on the Cross 