There’s no hiding it.  I am imperfect.  It’s good to recognize our imperfections and work through them, but I have fallen into the trap of using my imperfections as an excuse too many times.  I’ve been able to fumble my way through aspects of life like friendships, responsibilities, and education to this point, but I’m realizing that this attitude of only doing enough to get by diminishes (in my own mind) the importance of what God has for me to do.

I came to this realization after leading worship at a mini retreat not long ago.  I’ve been leading worship with students since I was in high school and it has been one of my favorite things to do ever since.  I know that I have an imperfect voice and I may miss a few words or not always play all the right chords, but that doesn’t mean God isn’t using me to lead those students into an attitude of worship through song.  I’ve been told by a few people that they recognize an anointing from God on me as I lead worship.  Without that anointing, chances are that I would not be asked to lead as often as I am.  I don’t bring this up to elevate my status or puff myself up, but to make a point that I need to look at the other areas of my life in a similar light.

I may be a slow reader, but I shouldn’t give up on study altogether because through study, God may choose to bless me with wisdom and a better knowledge of Him and His Kingdom.  Although I see myself as somewhat socially challenged, I shouldn’t spend my time neglecting current friendships and hiding from new ones.  Yes, I drop the ball from time to time, but if I letting the frustration of dropping the ball consume me would distract me from what God wants me to look forward to.

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  Romans 5:8

God’s love for us supersedes our imperfections.

For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.  2 Corinthians 20-22

Being anointed in this instance is to be chosen.  We are chosen in spite of our imperfections.  Being chosen by God empowers us to carry out the work of furthering His Kingdom here.  We are chosen for a reason.  Although our works do nothing for our salvation, to neglect what God calls us to do within His anointing is to take Christ’s sacrifice for granted.

Just like Esther, it can often be difficult to see how our situations fit into our calling.  If she were to have remained silent in the king’s palace, God’s plan would have still been carried out, but her family would have perished (Esther 4:12-14).  Likewise, God’s will will be fulfilled even if we continue to live our lives focused on our imperfections, but our time will pass and our potential will not be realized.