A “Perfect” Life

Week 37, Monday

Beth Ann Meek

Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.

Psalm 16:5-6

It is so easy in this world to look around and compare our lives to others’ and tally up where our lives come up short. We run ourselves ragged trying to keep up with the Joneses and to make a “perfect” life for ourselves. Sadly, we often are under the impression that Hollywood’s sometimes fairy-tale versions of life are the standard. This destructive way of thinking robs us of the truly “perfect” life.

While struggling with some disappointments in life, I asked myself many times, “Is there such a thing as a perfect life, and if there is, why can’t I have one?” God assured me that there was and that I could have that life, according to Psalm 16:5-6. The life God has set before me is the perfect one for me because He has assigned it to me. Of course, “perfect” does not mean everything in our lives will always be rosy and carefree. Sometimes our own sins or rebellion can cause difficulties in our lives. The perfect life is accepting the portion God has set before us and using it to glorify Him.

Sometimes our lives may not turn out the way we had hoped or envisioned, and the world may even look at our lot in life and pity us. However, we can trust that what God has set before us is for our best. He loves us so much that He gave His beloved Son so we could be His own children. How could we not trust such a loving Father? Through total surrender of our life agendas and total trust in Him, we can experience total peace because we are following the best-laid plans, designed specifically for us.

Living by the world’s standards will result in a substandard life. The standards of the world are deceptive and harbor false hopes and dissatisfaction. Looking at our lives through God’s eyes will keep our focus in proper perspective and pointed toward Him who is the one true standard.

Father, thank You for the perfect life You have set before me. Please help me to trust You throughout my life through good times, as well as the difficult and disappointing times, and to glorify You always. Amen.