Good

Note: This is my second #BecauseOfHim post during Holy Week on teachings from Jesus Christ that can apply to us right now.

2. "There is none good but one, that is, God." -Matthew 19:17

Because of Him, we don't have to be perfect. And our friends don't have to be perfect.

I think we all know we're not perfect. But if pressed, we'd rather say we have imperfections like "I leave cupboard doors open," or "I like to eat lots of Oreos in one sitting." But really, sometimes we're talking about real things. Sometimes our imperfections really hurt other people. Sometimes our imperfections make it hard for an organization to run smoothly. 

Let me give an example of one of my own imperfections. I've learned that, especially around women, I try to agree. After all, as I said yesterday, everyone has little bits of truth. But then later I realize that I don't fully agree with someone, and they probably were entitled to hearing a different perspective, especially if there were facts I knew that they didn't. This might not seem like a fault, but I have seen how it has perhaps perpetuated a few problems that didn't need to be perpetuated.

Perhaps other people have other similar faults -- faults that don't necessarily get in the way of day-to-day function, faults that aren't addictions or malicious intents or anything like that. But when we start working with other people, when we have to make decisions that affect other people, those faults come out without our even realizing it. We might not be good at listening, at delegating, at organizing, at speaking tactfully, or any other number of things. And while we're discovering these things about ourselves, people can be marginalized, offended, and hurt.

There have been times where I've realized that no matter what I said or didn't say, it feels like I did the wrong thing. It's in those moments where I realize how desperately I need Christ -- I know for a fact I am not good enough on my own, and I can't pretend anymore that I've got my act together. But He is good enough, and what's more, He is good. He is the source of all good and all light, and because of that He has the power to take away my frustration and replace it with peace and hope. It's because of Him that we don't have to project false images of perfection to those around us -- He is perfect, so we don't have to be. It's because of Him that we can forgive each other for not being perfect. 

And it's because of Him that we can let go of our imperfections and gradually become good like Him.