I sat across from a friend. A week ago, she had expressed a welcoming tone for my new found relationship, celebrating a milestone in my life. Yet, now– today, she displays the opposite of being affectionate. My world slowly crumbles. I know not everything is perfect with our current set-up, yet I have peace from God’s Word that everything will work out for my good. Hence, I got prompted to revisit this question: between perfect and progressive, what truly matters?

I sat across from her, trying to negotiate and bridge the gap between the disparity. But, at the back of my mind, I was questioning the validity and reliability of the Gospel she was preaching. Or if she, all of a sudden, forgot to enact it to practicality.

As Christ-believers, we are all called to be perfect. But, the reality is: none of us are yet. So, what do we do in the in between?

I’ve been a discipler for most of my adult life. I’ve led people to Christ. I’ve listened to endless stories and rants. I’ve prayed for people. I’ve preached in front of a crowd. I’ve served in church. And so on. I’ve seen people bled, figuratively, and show their truest, ugliest selves. I admit: I’ve complained. I’ve questioned God because the remnants of people’s pains and hurts have affected me in unpleasant ways.

Again, there is no perfect church. And the measurement of its success or effectiveness is if it’s healthy or not– if it’s progressive or not. To note, the definition for being progressive can mean differently to different people. But, for the sake of this discussion, I mean for the term “progressive” to be a church that continues to evolve into the image of Christ as one.

So, imagine the questions that popped into my head while I sat there, listening to all the reasons why two imperfect persons can’t be with each other. This is in spite of God’s personal Word and approval.

Then, it made sense to me; we all have lists. We have our own little version of “perfect”. But, what if “messy” is okay? What if “messy” is functional? Treat this piece as a conversation-starter, rather than a be-all end-all. What if God can use the mess– right now, today? What if God can use you?

Job 42:2 (ESV)

“I know that you (God) can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.”