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September 21, 2007

Lipstick and the Search for Perfection

by Shana Schutte

Several years ago I read a newspaper headline that made me chuckle: "Red Lipstick Empowers Women." The caption, coupled with a photo of Marilyn Monroe wearing a white flowing dress and painted crimson lips convinced me why I was having work challenges. That's been my problem all along! I thought. I've been wearing champagne pink!

Of course I'm kidding, but isn't that what we all want--just to be a little more empowered--or beautiful, or intelligent, or winsome or whatever? Isn't there something in us that longs for perfection?

Ever since the Garden of Eden, humanity has been aching for the flawless life we were originally created for. And we're so intent on recapturing it, that we'll try to find it anywhere--even in lipstick.

However, I'm sure you've noticed we have a problem. Perfection is no where to be found on this planet. Sure, we get glimpses of it in a baby's smile, a friend's embrace, or God's majestic mountains. But I'm afraid we won't see perfection in ourselves until we get to heaven. Unfortunately, if we insist on being perfect, it can lead to shame.

Shame is nasty because it keeps us from enjoying the fruit of our labor. It's like a man who can't be happy with his income because he compares himself with his friend Bob who earns six figures. Or it's like a woman who is unable to relish in the ten pounds she lost because she's obsessed with the five that are still around her middle.

Shame robs our best moments of accomplishment because we're never quite good enough or quite perfect enough--we never quite arrive. Even if what we've accomplished produces some satisfaction for others, we can't enjoy it because shame prevents us from pulling up to the banquet table to feast on the rewards of our labor.

God's grace provides an answer. Grace is more than forgiveness; it's about receiving His redemption and restoration when we are less than perfect. It's about letting out a big "Yippeee!" and thanking God for filling in the gaps for all that we are not. It's embracing the truth that we will not do everything perfect, but that God will perfect what we do.

"In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding." Ephesians 1:7 (NIV)

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