Daily Devotions
The Problem With Perfectionism
Reading for October 28th: Luke 10-11
"Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen that good portion, which will not be taken away from her."
Luke 10:41-42
It's hard to be critical of Martha, isn't it? All she was doing was serving the Lord, right? What could be more important? Mary should have been helping her!
If you're reading this, chances are you are a committed Christian. You're busy serving others. Your weekly calendar is filled. Virtually every hour is spent running here and there. Everything you do is about others.
Or is it? Is it possible that our busy-ness is not really about others (or God)? Is it possible that we do the things we do for ourselves?
Martha's harsh criticism of her sister betrayed a heart that was not set on Jesus but on self. She wouldn't have even noticed what Mary was or wasn't doing if she were completely focused on Jesus.
Perfectionists can be critical of others because of this. Often their desire for perfection is not about God but about themselves. They're obsessed with appearances. They are not driven by a desire for God's approval, but by man's approval. They are insecure. They can never do enough. Christianity is a competition. To win they must be better and do more than everyone else.
Many of us are like Martha -- distracted with much serving (Luke 10:40). Perhaps we need to slow down and focus more on Jesus and less on others and where we stand in the race.
Father God, purify our hearts. May our service to others be about You and not about ourselves.
