Tuesday, June 25, 2013

'Be Ye Perfect'

I have not had commercial television in my home for over ten years. The new condo came with it, so I have been flipping through channels, checking out current programming. My general reaction; ‘Holy Carp!’



I have watched some HGTV. Hey it’s helpful as I try to decorate an unfurnished condo in ‘early thrift store’. I became distracted by a show titled ‘House Hunters’, about young people (mid twenties) looking to buy their first house. What shocked me was the budget these people would come up with; anything from $300,000 to $850,000. Are you kidding me?

OK, my basic comment on this is; it lead to a conversation about what would be the catchphrase to describe this lifestyle. Well, you know me…I came up with ‘Be Ye Perfect’.

‘Be Ye Perfect’ comes from the Bible (not surprised, are you?). It’s in the New Testament, Matthew 5:48. In the KJV it reads “Be ye therefore perfect, even as you’re Father which is in heaven is perfect.”  Lest there be any doubt this is Jesus speaking. I don’t intend this post to be a Sunday School Lesson, but I do believe that every soul alive today has a spark of the divine within them, and I believe it’s this admonition  that drives so many to serious distraction. Let me explain.

The world seems to be running to and fro in an absolute feeding frenzy of materialism. Everybody wants more and better all of the time. I don’t mean to argue with a desire to better yourself, be more comfortable, move on up, but I do wonder why people are willing to plunge themselves into unimaginable debt to achieve this perceived perfection.




It’s my belief that true perfection as a person is most likely not attainable in this lifetime (I suppose that’s a real problem for the person who doesn’t belie in any sort of afterlife). It’s a process. I also believe that this life is our opportunity to begin that process and be on track to achieve that perfection which our Father in Heaven desires for us. I also believe that, just maybe, it’s that spark of the divine that resides within each and every one of us, that drives us to search out and try to create perfection within our lives by having bigger, better, and more, as opposed to seeking an inner perfection of our spirits.



I don’t believe for a minute that perfection lies within a huge mortgage payment, or an outrageous car payment, or the perfect hairstyle, wardrobe or even nose job. True perfection that speaks to our divine spark spawns kindness, love and empathy for our fellow men. True perfection comes when we love enough to set aside our petty wants and desires to help someone else achieve their hopes and dreams. It’s not envy, or malice, or retribution of any sort, but forgiveness and an ability to move on in our lives from those situations and people who have wronged us.

For those of you who are still with me, I say ‘Thank You’ for indulging me as I try to reaffirm my personal beliefs. I place myself in a situation where I’m forced to start completely over (a lot) and sometimes that really frustrates me. I’ve been feeling frustrated lately, with my big move. I love the place I live, but things are not perfect. I need to keep reminding myself exactly what I believe about perfection and the admonition to ‘Be Ye Perfect’. I may need to buy one of those trite little signs that hang in every gift shop around here that says ‘If you’re lucky enough to live at the lake, you’re lucky enough’.



As I try to perfect my spirit, I do know I’m lucky and loved and blessed.


Just though you might want to know what I’ve been thinking.

15 comments:

  1. Only God is perfect, but through His love, we are made perfect in His eyes.
    I never understood the debt thing. Keeping up with the Jones. (And that phrase originated in Wilmington, NC and a real Jones family of indulgence.)
    And our budget for our first house was so tiny!!

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  2. Pffft with my black hole of debt, no way I could keep up with the jonese or the flintstones lol not that i would ever want to either. Who the heck wants a house the size of a football field? That is just stupid.

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  3. Hmmm... We seem to have some similar ideas about God and our souls. What a shocker, eh?

    ~ D-FensDogg
    'Loyal American Underground'

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  4. It always sounds so cliche, but my brother-in-law is a millionaire with an $8 million dollar mansion and Lamborghinis and plastic women, etc. etc. etc. and guess what? He's the most miserable person I know. But instead of seeking true happiness he just tries to fill his sadness with more junk.

    I bought everything I needed for life back when I was gainfully employed (cars, modest living area, computer) and now I live off of almost nothing. I have no desire for any of that flashy crap. I'm happy with what I have. I'd rather work on myself as a person than work on my house any day.

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  5. Hey you!! I have to admit to being a little addicted to HGTV between House Hunters and those stinking adorable Property Brothers I can't get enough of those shows. BUT, The Husband and I always marvel at how much money these people spend on their homes, and how much they complain about the perfectly good ones they already have. We also wonder, what do these people do for a living to be able to afford such homes? Some of the couples are in there 20's and look like babies.

    I agree with you and your personal affirmations. None of those things will fill you up and make you whole. All of it is so fleeting. Better to focus on what's really important and what lasts after life!

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  6. LOVE HGTV!!!!!!

    I want a small, simple home that is cozy, safe, and warm...but more than that I want happiness and ironically we can have that in a tent :)

    But of course your not surprised I agree with you

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  7. That kind of ostentatiousness is evident everywhere, unfortunately. I keep thinking about how all that money could be put to other, better uses.

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  8. Let me apologize (for the second time today) about being so late to respond to these wonderful comments. First, my poor old machine was having some of it's own problems. Next, my landlord had the Internet turned off (to upgrade he said, but now it's running slower than my old dial-up). It was on briefly this morning and I typled in my replies, only to find that I had AGAIN lost the connection. Do I need to tell you guys that I'm ready to strangle the landlord.

    Alex - I hate to admit it but I paid less for my first house than I shelled out on the last new car I purchased. After, that experience I personally have a new rule: Even if I were to win the lottery (note to self - you need to buy tickets first) I will never spend more than $10,000 for a car (and even that's too much).

    Pat - I'm not sure who wants a place that big, certainly not me, especially considering that I'm the one who would have to clean it.

    Linda - Thanks.

    STMc - Imagine that!

    Beer Boys - Just another cliche proving that $$$ don't buy happiness.

    Jaybird - I have thought the same thing myself about some of those home buyers. Of course, I'm sure the shows wouldn't interest anyone if they focused on median income families trying to find a home vs. a trophy.

    luckymama - No, no surprises there.

    Bish - You said it, especially if it's my money.

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  9. Well said. We should strive for perfection in what matters. Accumulating "stuff" is not what matters.

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  10. People are constantly wanting stuff. So much stuff. So we need bigger houses to house all that stuff.

    I see it all the time, as I'm in the middle of suburbia. Families that overextend themselves and pay the price. It's a sad thing to watch.

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  11. It's not "everybody" that's in pursuit of this stuff. Trust me. I see lots of people every day who just want to be loved.

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  12. I'm fine with the fact that I'm a serial renter and never a homeowner; live under the poverty line despite having, not one - but two - career tracks that I love (writing and social work); and etc. You expressed this all perfectly. Thank you for the meaningful sentiment.

    Be well and stay lucky enough, Farawayeyes.
    xoRobyn

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  13. DL - Ha, ha, ha!

    LD - 'Perfection in what matters' - that IS well said.

    Jay - I'm sure that is sad. I currently live in a very affluent area. I have never seen a Ferrari on the road before this particular move and here I've seen several. I wonder if they too, try to keep up with each other. Nobody seems to be hurting, but I have to say the Thrift Store is always crowded.

    Michael - Sad but true. Actually I think most of those people who
    SEEM to be in the pursuit of stuff are really 'looking for love in all the wrong places'.

    Robyn - I hear ya loud and clear. A serial renter also and as for the poverty level - well best not to go there.

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