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| Along the Way 9-30-11 |
 “Nobody’s perfect.” How many ways can you speak that phrase? How many different inflections can you employ? Sometimes we say “nobody’s perfect” to console one who has failed. At other times we say it with a philosophical shrug in the aftermath of a colossal mistake. Sometimes, having been browbeaten over our incompetence, we have defended ourselves with these two words. Sometimes we even use these words to justify our rebellious behavior. Nobody’s perfect: it’s an all-purpose phrase. Is that good news or bad news simply the way things are? Thomas Merton is helpful here. The late Trappist monk wrote, “Mistakes are a part of our life, and not the least important part… As long as we are on earth our vocation is precisely to be imperfect, incomplete, insufficient in ourselves, changing, hapless, destitute, and weak… The power of God…must somehow find its way into our lives…” (No Man is an Island, page 128-129). I don’t want to appear hapless or insufficient. Do you? What kind of impression would that make on others? Aren’t we called to great competence, stellar accomplishments, success and more success? Doesn’t the Apostle Paul promise that we can do all things through God who loves us? Didn’t Jesus promise that we could do even greater things than he himself? Don’t Christians always succeed?? And yet…and yet…there is this oft overlooked matter of our treasure being found in earthen vessels. Nobody’s perfect. Nobody. Let that be a gift for you today. Receive the grace of God. Let go of the notion that you are godlike. Before the day is over you and I are going to mess up somewhere. Forgive yourself. Forgive others. Face a new day. I’ll see you this Sunday! Creede Hinshaw |
