I remember watching a funny TV show where the main character was a genius nerd. He was infamous for lending a helping hand with great intentions, but somehow things always ended up in mayhem. After making his big mistakes, he would get this incredulous look on his face and say, “Did I do that?”
That’s how I felt recently when someone gave me and my team at church this compliment after a successful event, “This is skilled and meticulous work they do.”
I interrupted his compliment and said, “That is a high compliment coming from you because you are a perfectionist!”
An awkward pause ensued, he gave a half smile and replied, “No. I like to do things with excellence.”
Immediately, I had all types of responses floating around in my head. I wanted to explain what I meant and how highly I esteem him, but alas, I’d already said what I said. Anything I added would not have changed what was said.
Maybe you have had moments where you say or do things with good intentions, but it goes a little off course. It is often a challenge for me to say the right things the right way so it will bless those who hear. My heart is always willing, but my lips might slip a bit.
Paul talks about this in the Bible.
“So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin” (Romans 7:21-25 ESV).
We don’t always get it right, even when our intentions are good. We miss the mark, but there is this awesome thing called Grace! Jesus’s sacrifice in dying on the Cross and my acceptance of His gift of salvation does not make me perfect, but it helps me to grow free of guilt and condemnation.
What I did was not evil, but the slip of my lip bothered me so much. It frustrated me that I missed a moment to really show how much I admire another brother in Christ. This Scripture gives me joy and helps me show compassion to myself knowing that Jesus has delivered me from the power of sin.
What do you struggle with? What do you say you’re going to stop doing, but sometimes find yourself doing it anyway? No worries! God has already made provision to cover you and help you grow. Just receive the redemptive Love and Grace Jesus offers and be patient with your growth in Him!
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