We are always looking for perfection.
In the summer, we are looking for the perfect bodies, in fall it is the perfect boots, the winter we seek the perfect gift, but in spring our eyes tend to focus elsewhere for a short burst before looking for the perfect bonnet.
The perfection at the cross should not be sought for an instant of remembrance, but stored up in our hearts to get us through those seasons where perfection will never be met. A fallen world is far from the supremacy of the garden. When we accept that we need a savior, a substitute for our lackings, we can move forward in this life with a clear focus of hope.
Genesis 22:8 NIV
Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.”
Abraham had hope in that God would provide. As a father, he was surely saddened to lose the son he so longed for, but as a faithful servant of the Lord. His hope was placed in that God always provides. He accepted God’s provision even if it did not look like what he expected it to.
The Lord did provide, as He always will. He gave Abraham not only his son, but the grains of sand and stars in the sky to equal all that would become his descendents. Faith full-circle and fulfilled.
However, we know that the wages of sin is death Romans 6:23. No matter how many times we sacrifice our loved ones at the altar of business, activities, prideful parades of accomplishments, and comparison traps, we can’t find life or our grain of sand on the beach. What bright and shiny star is ours and do we want to trade it for a life of ease or fame? Can we accept God’s will or do we continue to fall short and not make it up that hill that Abraham dedicated to our Father God?
Jesus is spotless, a perfect sacrifice for our wretched lives. We don’t need to sell our souls for eternal bliss or burn a ram on stone in the desert. We find the love we seek at the cross.
1 John 4: 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.
He took our place on that altar. Jesus hung on the cross for our souls. We all deserve a sinners death, but His perfect sacrifice saved us all.
When we meditate on these truths and the love embedded throughout, we tend to feel undeserving. His plans are bigger than our feelings. We can turn our face to Him and glorify Him with our changed lives. We accept His perfect sacrifice and pray for faithfulness to pour forward over all generations.
When we meditate on these truths and the love embedded throughout, we tend to feel undeserving. His plans are bigger than our feelings. Click To Tweet
This post comes from the 20 Days of Devotionals series.
How I wasted so much time on work, education, and achievement. I now know how fast time passes and I don’t want to waste another minute. Thoughtful words. Thank you.
Perfect Submission is a hard piece to work through. Jesus is our example but oh how I fall short. I need reminders often. Thank you for this.