It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. 2 Samuel 22:33
“The strongest actions for a woman is to love herself, be herself and shine amongst those who never believed she could.”
Author Unknown
I recently came across this quote and thought how many women feel that this is a testimony to their own lives? First, we don’t always think about loving ourselves. We’re good about loving others, our family, our children, our friends, but trying to love ourselves, that’s not easy. Finding the strength to love ourselves, takes time and patience. We look in the mirror and constantly see those flaws and imperfections that really no one else sees.
There are so many times that a friend or colleague will offer a compliment about something that I was dwelling on, something that I thought didn’t look like I wanted it to, and yet others found it to be a lovely thing. Isn’t that the way things go, we are blinded by our own imperfections and yet in the eyes of others, they seem to clearly see a beautiful creation.
Who do you see? How can you be yourself in a world that wants you to put on so many different faces? Are you the social media queen, the praiseworthy mother, the creative friend, or the inspirational motivator for the day, the possibilities are endless. Some days I just want to be the person that I think I am, instead of the person that people want or expect me to be and yet, perhaps I really am the person that everyone sees, I just need to open my eyes to who that person really is.
It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.
I want to share a short story with you. Many years ago I was asked to be the director for our vacation Bible school at church. It was a week-long event of coordinating, preparing, and directing over 110 young children coming to our church to attend our summer vacation Bible school. I was involved in various positions within our church and enjoyed working with our youth and helping them to grow in the faith walk with Jesus. So it seemed that I would be a perfect fit for leadership in this position.
It took several months of preparations, and long nights of coordinating each day’s events and activities. In addition, I was in charge of staffing the week long vacation Bible school with a number of volunteers and youth helpers to make the week a success.
Anyone who has ever volunteered, assisted, or directed vacation Bible school can truly appreciate the amount of time, energy and efforts it takes to pull off a successful week of daily Biblical lessons for a number of squirrely youth. Somehow though, through the grace of God, we all make it through and the smiles on the faces of the young children singing their favorite songs they learned, sharing their craft creations with their families and making new friends made it all worthwhile.
After a very long week of trying to keep everyone on task and keeping things running smoothly, but most importantly trying to share the love of Jesus with the youth of the church, I began to wonder did I make a difference? Was I able to shine amongst those who never believed I could?
The answer came several weeks later when I received a letter from a volunteer that I worked with all week at our vacation Bible school. She simply wrote, “nice job, I didn’t think you had it in you.” With that comment, I decided it was actually a compliment, perhaps she didn’t think I could but I did.
Actually it really wasn’t me that led one of the largest vacation Bible school programs that our church had ever seen, it was by the grace of God. He was my rock, my refuge and my strength.
It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect
There are times in our lives when we don’t always know how we are able to do the things that we do. And there will be those among us that don’t think we have it in us to be successful. Those people may doubt our abilities, but isn’t it wonderful to know that our God knows that we can do all things because he gives us the strength to do so. We don’t have to worry about what others think, God is our strength and that is all that really matters.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me
Philippians 4:13
I pray that you listen to that inner voice that says, “I can do all things, because Christ is my strength.
“I am careful not to confuse excellence with perfection. Excellence, I can reach for; perfection is God’s business.”
― Michael J. Fox
As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.
2 Samuel 22:31
Perfection, it’s a term that is used when everything turns out the way it was planned and sometimes even better than planned. Do you ever find yourself using the word, “perfect?” “Oh, that looks perfect together,” is a response you might receive when you’ve put together a special outfit to wear. Another response might be, “This has been the most perfect date,” after you’ve waited for weeks to have that special first date. The word perfect is defined as having all the required or desirable elements, absolute or complete, lacking in nothing. Perfection is completely free from faults or defects. In the quote above by Michael J. Fox, he is able to distinguish between excellence and perfection. He knows that excellence is an achievable goal. Seeking perfection is a Godly goal. Perfection is the cornerstone of God’s love.
God knows that we are not perfect, that is why he sent his only son to be “perfect” for us. He is pure perfection.
Can a mortal be more righteous than God? Can even a strong man be more pure than his Maker?
Job 4:17
It is wisdom that helps us understand that we are not perfect yet we strive to improve ourselves and make it our goal to reach Godly perfection. To reach a level of Godly behaviors and characteristics is our daily struggle.
…the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
James 3: 17
How can we reach a level of Christian excellence? First, we must read the word of God. The words of the Lord are forever pure and trustworthy. We turn to the word of God for guidance, support, strength, encouragement, and inspiration. Do you have a favorite Bible verse that brings you comfort or strength when you need to be inspired? Here are a few of my favorite verses that bring me comfort:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your path straight.”
Proverbs 3:5-6
“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”
Proverbs 17:22
“…but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Isaiah 40:31
“The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.”
Zephaniah 3:20
“Rejoice in the Lord always…Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4: 4-7
It’s amazing to know that God’s words are full of grace and mercy. His words teach, encourage, inspire, guide and influence our daily lives. They show no trace of partiality or hypocrisy. Their purpose is to uplift us with strength and to hold us accountable for our actions.
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
When you find yourself in the midst of negative comments, destructive behaviors, or ruthless acts of deceit isn’t it comforting to know that God is our shield and protection. His truth will prevail and he will guard you with his mighty shield. Never doubt that his word is pure and flawless. His words will stand the test of time, we all face the same joys, sorrows, struggles and doubts no matter the century. The words of the Bible, written so long ago, continue to breathe life into our souls. We can confidently claim the truths that provide the foundation for our daily living.
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.
Psalm 119:105
If you are interested in more Bible verses about perfection then visit this blog post.
May the peace of Christ be with you as you navigate your path to excellence and glory in God’s perfection.
For more inspiring verses, daily devotions and reminders of God’s love for you go to the resource page.
It’s a beautiful hot, sunny day at the beach. Blue skies overhead, seagulls gliding by and in the distance you can see a cruise ship sailing by. Families are enjoying a wonderful summer day at the beach. Children are reluctantly running towards the ocean water and begin to scream with delight as the waves come crashing towards them. You notice a sweet family building a very elaborate sand castle. Dad carefully fills the mold with sand and turns it out to see a perfectly formed castle tower. Mom guides the children as they gather sea shells to decorate the castle. After the children carefully add each shell to the castle, the family takes a few steps back to marvel at their creation. For a moment, everything is perfect! But as the tides roll in and out, a huge wave is just on the horizon and completely destroys their castle with one big wave, the castle is gone.
Now, here is where you have to make a choice, do you get angry at the waves or do you choose to start again and make a newer, even better castle? Perhaps you may be feeling like the waves of life are beating you down and you don’t know how you can begin to start over. Where do you start? Will you find the courage to pick up that pail and start to feel it with sand again?
Just when you think you have it all figured out, guess what happens? It becomes unclear again. If you had been told several months ago that everyone would be wearing face masks, you couldn’t eat at a restaurant, and visiting with family and friends would be out of the question. Would you have believed it? Probably not and yet this is where we are today.
Those waves of life came crashing in and everything that once looked so lovely and wonderful is now unrecognizable. What are we to do? We so desperately want to know what the future holds and yet, God says hold on a minute. I’m God and you are not! You can build amazing castles, put all your hopes and dreams into them, but be prepared for those waves. Just as the tides come in and out and no matter how hard you try, they keep coming.
You can build, and rebuild, of course, those are the tangibles of life. What a person of faith builds are the intangibles. You have faith even when you can’t see beyond today, you have compassion on those around you, you have peace in the midst of the storms of life, those are the intangibles that are created when you live a life of faith. SO what a wave crashing in on you, your faith allows you to pick yourself up and start again.
This COVID-19 virus has certainly left it’s mark on 2020, it feels like this wave that keeps crashing in and won’t let up but we know that the waters will be calm again. Jesus has a way of doing that. We know that as believers in Jesus Christ, what we will build will have lasting value, it’s faith, hope and love. And of course, the greatest of these is love. We are called to love one another, support each other through each trial and wave of life. I pray that God will grant you peace and comfort as we continue to navigate through this covid pandemic. Choose today which castle you will serve, the one you build on this earth or the one that is waiting for you in Heaven.
I wake up each day hoping that this will be the day that the pandemic has been wiped out, we’ve been set free and we can go about our normal routine again, and yet today is not the day. The word “normal” has been replaced with “new normal” whatever that may be, we are simply in a state of “unknown uncertainty”.
What we do know however, is that God is with us, He is certainly in control of what is happening and His love will prevail. If we will just take a moment, we can see the “good” in people, His light shining through others in this dark time. Think of something that you have either seen on social media, read about in the news, or perhaps participated in yourself that shows kindness, caring, and compassionate people serving others. God’s love is still being shared among His people.
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I wanted to share with you a special verse I have printed on a small card that I place where I can see it every morning. It is a reminder that “today” is all I have and “today” I will remember that God is with me.
“This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24
“Today may you be atpeace, Knowing that you are exactly where you Need to be, and have everything you Need to fulfill God’s purpose for you.
Today may you believe That you are God’s precious child In whom He is well pleased.
Today may you feel the love Shining through all of creation From the beginning of time Till the end of eternity.
Today may you trust That all is well, And you are safe within God’s arms…
Forever” Peace be with you today and always, Amen!
