Self Assurance
by Karen Ritch

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know
that full well.  Psalms 139:14 (NIV)

"Mmmmm. Om-kaym," I mumble an answer with a safety pin in my mouth.

I was in my bathroom getting ready for a formal event.  I looked in the mirror.
In the uneven light of my bathroom I pondered my dress, I guess it hides everything.
I thought.

I finished my makeup, and was putting on my shoes.  "Oh no!" I cried out.  "The
straps move.  I'll never be able to walk in these."

"Let me see them," said my husband calmly.  In no time he had devised a way to keep them
in place on my foot.

We looked great that night, but underneath I knew that my shoes were sewn together,
my slip was held with a safety pin, and other flaws were covered by the dress and makeup.

As a chronic perfectionist, I am keenly aware of my flaws.  I never feel "put together."
 I struggle with my imperfections.  The flaws on the inside, not the outside, are the most troubling
for me.  I often agonize over whether I said or did the right thing in personal relationships and
responsibilities.

People have struggled with the problem of self-hatred due to sin for years.  The practice of penance was probably born from human desire to be perfect and the awareness that they have fallen so far short.  This practice still takes place in those churches that have not fully understood the concept of
forgiveness of grace.

God has covered us in the blood of His Son, so that He does not consider our shortcomings. 
Through His sacrifice we can be transformed into perfect living sacrifices unto God.  We have no reason to crawl on our knees over broken glass, or whip ourselves.  We must cling to the cross and rest our thoughts on Christ's wounds already borne for our sake.

God does not want us to dwell on our imperfections.  If fact, doing so is as self-absorbed as
being proud of them.  God uses imperfect vessels.  Moses stuttered and he was one of the
greatest leaders in Israel's history.  David sinned and was still used mightily of God.

Take time to praise God because you are "fearfully and wonderfully made."
Rest in the assurance that we are made in His image, and when we get to heaven we shall be in our heavenly bodies and see God face to face.

Jesus was the perfect lamb
Slain for me because I am
Blemished, weak, broken, flawed,
He made me whole upon the cross;
Lord, raise me up inYour love
Let me serve for You above,
Humbly, gently, like a dove,
Reflecting all You are made of.