Imperfect but Abiding

You’ll have to forgive the slight hiatus. I’ve been job hunting… and also moping. I’ve said I’m not perfect; in fact, it’s even in the title of this little blog of mine, and little imperfect me has been throwing one heck of a pity party. 

I spoke to one of my closest friends today, and after I listed my application tally for at least the second time in our short conversation, she called me out. She was right to do so, and I’m glad she did. 

We live in a culture where moping is kind of the norm, and I’m as good at it as the next 25-year-old woman who was raised around professional mopers. I’ve written before on how the Bible doesn’t frown upon depression, but that’s not what I’m talking about here. I’m talking about continually revisiting things that hurt a person simply because they can and refusing to trust in the hope they know exists. 

Some might think it’s insensitive to point it out, but I think Paul (a guy who wasn’t known for pulling verbal punches) would say differently. In Ephesians 4:14-15, he writes:

“As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ…” (NASB)

I know Paul isn’t talking about calling your friends’ pity parties out here, but I believe the concept is applicable to other situations. I think pointing out my wallowing is a perfect example of speaking truth in love. My friend didn’t point out my pity party to shame me; she pointed it out because she cares and she knows that sometimes I need that callout. I’m so thankful to have someone like her in my life that isn’t afraid to speak truth in love. I can only pray that God will guide me to speak that way, too. 

And as far as my job search? While lying in bed, typing on my phone, and checking the Ephesians reference, I found some guidance in the verses just before the ones copied above. They read:

“And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.” Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭11‬-‭13‬ (NASB)

We are all here for a purpose, and impatient as I may be, I can also recognize that God will take me where I am supposed to go. I just need to rest in that knowledge.