He’s Not After Perfection
“For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him.” – 2 Chronicles 16:9
If you think God is waiting for you to get your life cleaned up before He can use you, you’re missing the heart of who He is. God is not scanning the earth looking for perfect resumes or flawless track records. He is not impressed by image. He is looking for something far more real. A heart that is surrendered.
That word surrendered means laid down. Given up. Not fighting for control anymore. It’s saying, “God, I don’t have it all figured out, but I trust You more than I trust me.” God can do more with your surrender than He ever could with your strength. You might think your mistakes have taken you out of the running, but God says the opposite. If you’re willing to surrender your plans, your pride, and your timeline, He’s ready to do something powerful through your life.
Some of the most impactful people in Scripture were anything but perfect. David was broken. Moses was insecure. Jonah ran. Paul had a past. What did they all have in common? Eventually, they gave God their hearts. And when they did, God used their story to shape history.
You don’t have to be perfect to be powerful. You don’t have to know everything to walk in purpose. You just have to give God a yes. You just have to stop pretending and start yielding. That’s what opens the door. Not your performance. Your surrender.
It’s time to quit trying to fix yourself into being useful. That’s not your job. Lay it down today. The fear. The pride. The need to be in control. All God needs is a heart that says, “Here I am.” If He has that, He has everything He needs to take you where He’s called you to go.
If you think God is waiting for you to get your life cleaned up before He can use you, you’re missing the heart of who He is. God is not scanning the earth looking for perfect resumes or flawless track records. He is not impressed by image. He is looking for something far more real. A heart that is surrendered.
That word surrendered means laid down. Given up. Not fighting for control anymore. It’s saying, “God, I don’t have it all figured out, but I trust You more than I trust me.” God can do more with your surrender than He ever could with your strength. You might think your mistakes have taken you out of the running, but God says the opposite. If you’re willing to surrender your plans, your pride, and your timeline, He’s ready to do something powerful through your life.
Some of the most impactful people in Scripture were anything but perfect. David was broken. Moses was insecure. Jonah ran. Paul had a past. What did they all have in common? Eventually, they gave God their hearts. And when they did, God used their story to shape history.
You don’t have to be perfect to be powerful. You don’t have to know everything to walk in purpose. You just have to give God a yes. You just have to stop pretending and start yielding. That’s what opens the door. Not your performance. Your surrender.
It’s time to quit trying to fix yourself into being useful. That’s not your job. Lay it down today. The fear. The pride. The need to be in control. All God needs is a heart that says, “Here I am.” If He has that, He has everything He needs to take you where He’s called you to go.
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2 Comments
Amen Pastor Ed! I can’t hear it enough! And also I can’t thank God enough either. Literally couldn’t even if I tried. He’s carried me through so much. Saved me from so much. And it’s true today just as much as it was then. God answers prayers. Period. No matter what I feel or if I forget. I have found that when I ask he listens. And when the time is right it comes. What a powerful thing.
Amen ? This hit deep. I’m a living witness to this truth. God met me at my lowest—when I was broken, tired, and trying to earn what only surrender could release. I didn’t have it all together, but He didn’t need perfection. Just my “yes.” Because of His mercy, my brokenness became whole, and now I walk as a servant of the Most High God. I’m proof that you’re never beyond His reach. All He needs is your heart—He’ll do the rest. ??