Whenever I speak, I never, ever watch the recordings.
I cringe knowing the exact parts I erred. For this message in particular, I told myself- let me do it again at another service, fix all the imperfections, make it perfect.
The hard truth is- we are not perfect. Perfection is not the goal. If I did it a hundred times, I might perfect the message but lose its spirit.
This new year, if you’re struggling with the bitter aftertastes of a year gone past, filled with grief and regrets, if you felt like you missed your breakthrough, fell short of perfection, don’t give up.
Like Jacob, wrestle with God through the aches of the night till light of day. Speak to your spirit. Wrestle with hope. Cling onto faith.
You might not reach your ideals of perfection, but know this- that in the grit and mire of your wrestle, lies an encounter, waiting to change your identity, transform your life.
To strive for perfection, might just be a perversion of what God is calling us to do in our new season- simply to be faithful.
My hope is that as imperfect this message might be, that it might encourage you in the new year. Wrestle.