20 Feb
Perfect Plastic People
“You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and every impurity. In the same way, on the outside you seem righteous to people, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.” Matthew 23:27-28
After church one morning recently, I was talking with friends in the Welcome Center when I noticed some people sitting alone on a couch nearby. I knew they were not church members so, feeling full of Christian duty, I went over to greet them, expecting to exchange small talk about the weather and ask questions to which I did not expect real answers. “Hi! (big grin) How are you today?” Instead, one of them hit me with a pointed question asking, “Does this church accept people who aren’t perfect?”
Always looking for a way to lighten uncomfortable moments, I quickly joked, “They accept me, don’t they?” and chuckled nervously. Frowning a little, the woman looked straight in my eyes and challenged, “Yes, but you’re perfect.” I was stunned and shamed by her statement. I knew I wasn’t perfect. My closest friends and family sure knew I wasn’t perfect; but apparently, I had become very good at putting on my perfect Sunday school face and appeared to have it all together. At least, I had fooled this person, and because I had, she didn’t feel as though she could ever be a part of our church. I immediately felt like the hypocrite I was, and it hurt to see the results of my selfishness.
You may be thinking that no one wants to be around a bunch of whiners and complainers so what’s so bad about looking perfect? Yeah … we’ve all avoided those people from time to time, and I’m not saying that you should tell everyone you meet each time you have a hangnail. But, who wants to be around someone who makes them feel as though they can never measure up either? There is a balance between black-hole neediness and self-sufficient superiority.
Why not share some of your battles with those whom God has put around you? Ask them to pray. Ask for their help. Let them see you struggle. Let them see your tears. By faking perfection, we keep those who are hurting at arm’s length. Their fear of our judgment keeps them on the outside, and we become liars and hypocrites in the process—more concerned about our images than we are about reaching out to those who need to hear how God cares for His children even when we fail.
In the parable of the rich, young ruler, Jesus says, “No one is good but One—God” (Mark 10:18). When I hide behind my plastic mask of perfection, appearing to need no help from others or even from God, I lie and steal His glory. I can do no good thing without His power and to give any other impression is to be no better than a “whitewashed tomb.” So … how are you today—really?
Forgive me, Father, for hiding behind a mask of perfection and not allowing others to see the work You are doing in me. Please, take away my selfish desire to impress, and help me to be real enough to point other imperfect sinners to You. May all the glory always be yours alone. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
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