So, it’s confession time.
Less than a month into the Bible in a year challenge, your fearless (and
sometimes clueless!) leader has fallen behind in her reading schedule. Now, this isn’t a
big surprise. It’s one of the reasons I hesitated launching the idea when it
first came to me. I’m not known for disciplined perfection – especially when it
comes to long-term commitments.
I suspect that many of you struggle in the same area. I call us “frustrated
perfectionists.” We know what we want to be, what we ought to do. We see the
goal and we’re pressing toward it, but like the talking dog on the classic
animated film UP, we are easily distracted … “I love You, Master,” we
tell Jesus, bouncing excitedly as we sit at His feet. “You and me, Lord. I will
follow — SQUIRREL!!!”
As I mentioned before, when I found myself four days behind on the reading schedule, I wasn’t
terribly surprised. Life has been crazy with the upcoming video shoot and all
its details. But what did surprise me was the lack of condemnation
I felt.
In the past, I would have spent at least several days beating myself up,
feeling frustrated and ready to give up. But instead of expending all that
useless emotional energy, I just picked up my Bible and began to read without a
twinge of guilt or self-loathing. Quite a victory for me. Miraculous, even. Not
to mention, freeing.
Because here’s the reality – guilt is a lousy motivator. I’ve spent much of
my life trying to guilt myself into godliness and it just doesn’t work. I end
up fixating on my inadequacy rather than on the goodness of God. Trying to
figure out why I’m such a flakey, fickle mess rather than looking to the only
One who can save me. For only grace has the power to change you and me.
If you’ve found yourself falling behind in your reading schedule, rest
assured, you’re not alone. And I have some important advice. “Don’t give up. Catch up.”
That’s why we’ve placed “reflection” days throughout the month as well as
several at the end. If you feel like you
are too far behind, just start where you can and use next month’s reflection
days to go back and whittle away at the missed portions.
For those just STARTING “Thru
the Bible in 2013” – I’d suggest printing off the regular January to
December format so that we all read and respond to the same portion. You can circle
back around next January and finish up what you’ve missed.
Here’s the bottom line: I’ve stopped expecting to be perfect. Instead, I’m
aiming for consistency. And consistency isn’t a long, seamless
perfection – it is simply the refusal to give up trying!
Perhaps you have some helpful tips for those of us who are frustrated perfectionists….please
share! I love, love, love hearing from you both here at the blog and on
Facebook.