Day 28: The Perfect

“Mark the PERFECT man, and behold the upright; for the end of that man is peace.” Psalm 37:37

Have you ever felt like no matter how hard you tried, you just cannot seem to reach that perfect state? Well, I have good news for you! You will never be perfect (as defined by the world)! Hey, no stone throwing! That is good news! Why?    Because now you do not have to worry and struggle to meet that expectation.

By the way, where would that expectation even come from? Why would we even want to frustrate ourselves with such an unattainable feat? Because self or others aka human, fallible man makes us believe that we need to do so! It is a lie! My friend, do not be deceived!

The dictionary defines the word perfect as flawless, exemplary, or having the highest qualities or characteristics. I know that I said that this is a humanly impossible, unattainable state, but does that mean that we can be lazy (or the total opposite)? No! Definitely not! Why? Because biblically and spiritually perfect means a different thing, am I not correct? It means maturity. Now, this is something that we can attain! Yay!

Why would David tell us to “mark” or to take notice of “the perfect [mature] man?” Well, for starters have you watched a toddler or child and how they act? Very immature, correct? They pout and shout and can cause all sorts of havoc and  uproar when they do not get their way … or they are tired … or they are hungry … or they (add your own thoughts here).

David has spent a good bit of his time in this chapter telling us much about the evil man or the wicked man. Now he is telling us to look at the “perfect” or mature man. He is saying to watch or take notice … or notes, if necessary … of how this man acts. He wants us to see the great contrast … for there is a very marked contrast, my friend, just waiting for us to take note of. How many times have we wallowed in defeat with our heads and our bodies bowed low, when all we had to do is look up and take note?

I just got back earlier this week from flying up north to spend some first-time-ever time away with my sisters. It seems like the normal pattern for traveling by air is to hurry and wait. You hurry to the counter to get checked in only to have to wait in line. Then once checked in, you hurry off to TSA to what? Wait in line again! Then, if you are like me, you throw a red flag EVERY time that you go through the scanner (yes, I am telling the God’s honest truth!). So, then they pull you aside and pat you down and search your luggage … that you have to point to but not touch! Once all that is cleared, then you hurry off to the gate to then wait some more! While you wait, what do you normally do? I people watch and boy, howdy, you can see a lot of different people in an airport in a short period of time if you are watching!

I do not know about you, but I do not desire to act like a child during my adult years. Yet, I often find myself doing just that! Ugh! Is it just me or do you find yourself in my shoes as well? Let us take David’s advice and “mark the perfect man” … so that we too may learn the steps to becoming that perfect and mature child of God!