Today I was thinking about how there are just certain things I don't do well. And no matter how hard I try, I will never do them well. Then it hit me. Having inadequacies and blind spots can be a huge joy. Here's why.
Ever since we were itty-bitty, we have been taught that we should be able to do everything. No one really says it in so many words, but think about a few popular phrases. When someone can act, dance, and sing, they are called a "triple threat" in the performance world. That's to say they have it all and can do it better than you, so fear them. In high school, we have "best all-around" awards. We get trained really early to think that the best type of person is one who can do it all. So we try to do it all, and when we can't, we fake it or cover up the areas that don't look good.
But here's the problem. It is impossible for a human to make something exist when it doesn't. If you hide an area of brokenness or inadequacy, it's still broken or inadequate. And the longer it stays that way, the worse it will become. And if you try to overcompensate with your other characteristics, you will injure other areas. It's like when you have a bad leg, the other leg deteriorates from overuse because it was created to be used in conjunction with another healthy leg. And doesn't it feel lonely to try to do it all alone? Believe me, I know it does! I used to have this crazy idea that the less "needy" I was, the more people would like me. I figured they didn't want to deal with my issues, so I would keep my baggage to myself. And living like this, I befriended people who actually didn't want to help and were just as self-centered as I was. Then I met awesome people who got in my face (thanks, Christine :) ) and not just said they accepted me unconditionally, but showed me. It woke me up and helped me see that I was not in this life alone.
People were created as part of a whole. And when we feel safe to show our weaknesses, and when we accept weakness in others, we actually all realize that we are needed and have a place. Doesn't that sound counterintuitive? Show my weakness and I will realize my strength? But it makes sense like the fact that a puzzle piece seems to have a weird picture on it until we realize it's part of a big picture. But to be with others, fully accepted, and fully free to have shortcomings is so sweet! No pretending, and no shame. And free to offer what you have with no doubt that it's enough. Doesn't that sound amazing?!
Note to self: this change doesn't come easy, and it's impossible to have this on your own. That's because we are each created unique in God. We come from His very heart, and He is the only one who knows us and knows where we belong! We guard ourselves and put on fake faces because we are wounded and dead in our sins. All of us are. That's why we are vulnerable to the lies that sound so true. But when Jesus Christ went to the cross, He did it to take the penalty of death we deserve and the death that comes with the brokenness of our world (for example, when people are abused or taught wrong things, there's that heaviness or depression that ensues. Sometimes it comes as a feeling of having to prove yourself. That's a symptom of spiritual death. All of us have been there.). But when Jesus died, He also rose from the dead by God's power. By doing that as a human, He made it possible that each of us could simply ask Him for forgiveness of sin and be able, then, to come alive again! Now, because our spirits live forever (empowered by God Himself), we are free. Then, it's like a whole re-training process of Him helping us to live a life of love. And it's all so we can not only be whole again with each other, but so we can be one with the God who made us and loves like a father, like a brother, like a mother; essentially the perfect love we have always longed for.
Wow. Love for people and love for God, bought with blood of one who never did anything wrong. Now THAT is a love story. Better than the movies, and this one is true. And it is for everyone. Very Happy Valentine's Day to you.
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