Those Seven Perfect Words

My little guy asked me today what perfect meant, and of course, I couldn't explain it to him.  He didn't understand whatever definition I was trying to give him.  He didn't (doesn't) understand the concept that something can be "just right, nothing wrong" and wanted an example.   Being only 5 years old, he didn't take too well the description of heaven, either....He knows his Father and his "favorite Brother" live there, but outside of that, nothing much was making an impression.  He scampered off after awhile but it set me to thinking.  What is perfect?

Yes, my Savior is perfect, and lived a perfect, sinless life while here on this earth.  We are used to hearing that all the time.  Unfortunately, before becoming a believer I had problems with His description, as I knew I just couldn't relate, and never would be able to relate, to someone so "Perfect."  Jesus was on the highest pedestal I'd ever imagined, and trying to be "like Christ" just seemed irrational!  Thankfully, I had good mentors when I became a follower and now I understand what it means to be "Christ-like."

To be a Christian, I know, means to be Christ-like.  Not, be Christ.  I've seen so much more condemnation and judgement from those claiming to be Christians than I have from the unbelieving world.  And we want the unbelievers to join us?  But, I digress.

So, what does it mean to be perfect?  I don't know, and this side of heaven I will probably never know.  But I do know the purest perfect words ever spoken aloud, and those words were "Not my will, but yours be done."  Wouldn't the meaning of our lives just be so much better if we learned to really pray those seven perfect words?

Many times I find myself praying for "the desires of my heart" and end up reducing my prayer to a simple list of what I perceive as needs.  How many times have I really prayed "not my will, but yours be done" --- and meant it?

Following Him isn't always easy, and at times we are led down paths that we would rather not travel.  But if we've trusted Him for our eternity, then surely He knows better than we do what we need.  Many of today's sermons center around what is pleasing to us, without regard to following Him.  Many Ameri-centric churches today focus on "What can I get" rather than "what can I give."  Is this truly praying 'not my will, but yours be done'?  In no way am I advocating not having "prayer requests" and asking for the desires of our hearts; what set me to thinking was asking for things outside of God's will for our lives, and then basing our happiness on that.

I pray today that I can lace every one of my decisions with following His will for my life, rather than what I want.  I am challenging myself to uttering those seven perfect words, regardless of the road that I am led down,  in every situation I find myself in.  I pray I keep true.