Embrace the Awkward
Turning My Page
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness.…
Philippians 2:5-7
I experienced an intense, painfully shy day in an unfamiliar place last week. The knots formed in my stomach, shame flamed my cheeks at the first awkward flub. I wasn’t getting anything right, and I wanted to crawl in a hole. I was sure everyone was laughing at my fumbling.
I forget growth, success, and God’s faithfulness. I was the same insecure child of my past, attempting perfection. But as I pulled out of the wrong bay, I spoke out loud. “Embrace the awkward Karisa. Only you are expecting to make no mistakes”, and with that, the knots in my stomach loosened, and the negative mantra in my head was silenced.
I can’t help that I have moments of mistakes in new terrain, but I can change how I treat myself when I do.
- Acknowledge perfectionism is rooted in pride.
- My insufficiencies cause me to seek God.
- Who am I trying to impress, God, or man?
- Embracing mistakes helps others to come to Jesus as they are.
Embracing the awkward means, I accept that I’m still growing and learning in faith.
Turning Your Page
You will make mistakes. There is a difference between sin and mistakes. Mistakes are the gap between what we know and what we still need to learn. I truly believe Jesus made mistakes. He didn’t eat perfectly as an infant, he stumbled and had skinned knees as a child. Jesus learned as an adolescent and adult to draw close to God and walk in humility and persistent obedience. He was God, limiting himself to our fallible flesh.
Jesus didn’t consider equality with God his goal. He embraced the awkward to save mankind and show us how to live free from the bondage to sin. Beauty is created in the persisting through uncomfortable feelings.
- How do you react when you make private or public mistakes?
- Is there someone you are trying to impress?
- Practice responding to mistakes with grace.
- Record what you learn from mistakes.
Lord, mistakes are not the end of the story. Help me to embrace, learn, and move forward from my fear of others’ reactions. Amen
“Embracing mistakes helps others to come to Jesus as they are.” This point spoke to me because it took me so long to learn this. I’m still not perfect, but I know that when God grants me the strength to admit my mistakes, I’m being a good example for others growing in their faith. It also helped me to be a better parent and teacher. Thank you for emphasizing this trait that helps us spread the Good News of Jesus to others.
You make an important point. Children watch our responses to mistakes. Responding to ourselves with grace, kindness, and love, as well as, getting up when we are knocked down, teaches them to grow and persist, no matter their experience.
Amen! Perfectionism is rooted in pride and embracing our mistakes helps others come to Jesus. If visitors come to a church in which everyone looks to have it all together, they’ll never come back because they don’t. Making mistakes is part of the process. Handling them with humility and humor makes people comfortable. We need to learn to laugh at ourselves.
Cathy, you are absolutely right. Our job as Christians is to show others what it looks like to be real with God. I hope, one day, laughter is my first reaction rather than petrification.
This is spot on that we need to accept our own imperfections and shortcomings. Perfection is a myth. Personal growth is what counts. But, that starts with acceptance…with embracing the awkward. Thank you for sharing!