The Imperfectability of Life

I remember once reading the term, "the imperfectability of life". In the book, a psychiatrist was pointing-out that success in life derives from accepting the imperfectibility of life as a reality of life - and from becoming skilled at working with the reality of that.

Applying that to ministry: I think accepting that circumstances will never be perfectly conducive to achieving ministry goals is the beginning of finding-out where we are meant to be, and what we can expect to be doing.

I see this in the ministry of Jesus. He had ideals in His heart for Jerusalem, if only she'd known the day of her visitation. Many times He wanted to gather her like a hen gathers her chicks, but they were not willing. But He didn't go look for another nation, yet. He knew it was His place and time to minister within the confines of an uncooperative nation. He accepted that the nation wasn't going to respond to His ministry as perfectly as He might have liked.

I also see it in Joshua's ministry. He knew he could take the promised land. But when God decided the nation should wait another 40 years because of the ten evil spies, he accepted it. Sure it upset him. But he didn't join those who armed themselves and went up to take the land despite God saying no. He accepted that he would have to have a less exciting role for the next 40 years. And he was rewarded for it - because 40 years later, he got to do what was in his heart, this time as leader rather than as second-in-charge.

A friend of mine told me he once said to the Lord, "Do you expect me to work with these Pastors!"

"Well you find me better ones, " the Lord replied.

And when you think about it, that's what the Lord has had to do with His Church for the past 2,000 years. Down through the Middle Ages and even today, the whole Church is not cooperating with Jesus as much as He might like. There are things that might have been possible, had Jesus encountered greater cooperation. But Jesus still works with the Church. He doesn't look for another Church. He hasn't withdrawn completely, waiting until He finds complete favour from the Church. Rather, He always does what He can within the imperfect circumstances of each church-group. He manifests His anointing to varying degrees, in many different denominations. He still shows up. He still does what He can.

And we are serving Him. We are not following our own agenda. So we can do the same. We can accept the varying levels of cooperation that we are likely to find in the church. And instead of withdrawing completely, waiting for perfect opportunities, we can minister to the highest level that the circumstances allow.

The imperfectibility of life. Understanding this removes the unrealistic expectations which cause frustration and inactivity. It makes our job-description clear. Working with it as a reality is a lifeskill which gurantees optimum success. And God has promised to bless the work of our hands!