Don’t Strive for Perfection, Strive for Connection

PC: Sharon Surman Photography

I hear the Lord say, (12.7.22) 

I love you, my dear one. Don’t allow the worries of this world to choke out our connection, our intimacy. Come to me and believe our intimacy trumps all. You’ve believed a lie that there is distance between us. (Romans 8:37-39) You’ve believed a lie that these mountains will not move at the sound of your command. (Mark 11:22-23) 

Keep your eyes fixed on me. Run this race looking forward, not behind you. Focus on what I’m doing, not on what is in the past. Run full out! Don’t slow down! Don’t allow distraction to steal from you your prize. (Philippians 3:13-14) Keep your eyes fixed on me with resolve. (Isaiah 50:7) 

I’m your coach. I’ll see you through to victory. There are days that your stride is more flawless and days that your run is more “flaw-full,” but my mercy and love covers them both. Don’t be overwhelmed by despair when you struggle, but recognize that my power at work in you is made perfect in your weakness.  (2 Corinthians 12:8) You can come and humble yourself under my mighty hand and I will lift you up.   (1 Peter 5:6) 

Don’t strive for perfection, strive for connection with me. The strength your looking for to overcome is in submission to me. Submit to me, humble yourself before me, resist the devil, and he will flee. (James 4:7) 

You’ve already overcome IN ME.    (1 John 4:4, 1 John 5:4-5) You’re destined for victory. Continue to stay in this place with the mindset of victory. Put on the pure, white robe of righteousness I’ve purchased for you and don’t take it off. Stay assured of my covenant with you no matter what lies try to come your way. Stay with feet cemented in my truth, rooted and grounded in the finished work of the cross. It’s not about what you can do to try to earn salvation. You can’t, you couldn’t. 

Perfection is a mirage. You may aim for it, but it will disappear and leave you more thirsty than before. Abiding in me is where you will produce lasting fruit constantly refreshed by my rivers of living water. ‘You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion is not from him who calls you. A little leaven leavens the whole lump.’ (Galatians 5:7-9)

Rest in my love. ‘In returning and rest you are saved. In quietness and in trust is your strength.’ (Isaiah 30:15) Acknowledge your weakness and don’t despise it. It’s ok to be human. It’s ok to need help. That’s how I made you. You’re not meant to be me. You’re meant to come to me and let me fill you constantly. Here, you find wisdom at my feet. 

Get off the hamster wheel and enjoy my company for a while. What are you trying to earn? Some badge of “Best at ____” by the world’s standards? You may have them fooled, but I judge by the heart not by outward appearances. (1 Samuel 16:7, proverbs 16:2, Jeremiah 17:10) 

‘Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames.’ (1 Cor. 2:12-15)

Your tower of babble means nothing to me. I have greater things for you to build, but it starts beneath the surface. It’s in the hidden place with me where the gold, silver, and jewels are found- not for the audience of man but for me alone. 

Once you can lay down performance, you can enter into a deeper level of relationship with me as your faithful friend. That’s my invitation in Matthew 11:28. “Are you weary, carrying a heavy burden? Come to me. I will refresh your life, for I am your oasis. Simply join your life with mine. Learn my ways and you’ll discover that I’m gentle, humble, easy to please. You will find refreshment and rest in me. For all that I require of you will be pleasant and easy to bear.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11‬:‭29‬-‭30‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Kaeley ♡