What is a “Perfect 10”? To some, it’s the errorless performance of a lifetime that wins gold medals on the world stage and in the Olympics. To others, it’s the quintessential man or woman who embodies perfection in looks, personality, intellect and drive for adventure. And still others use the term to describe someone who has everything they could ever hope for in a mate, including devoted love for them. A Perfect 10 completes them.
We see pictures all the time of models and Hollywood stars who look like a Perfect 10. But not many of us would say that we know someone who is a Perfect 10. And my guess is that few, if any, of us believe that we’re a Perfect 10. Why? Because no one is perfect.
But what if I were to tell you that you are a Perfect 10 to someone? He not only thinks you’re a Perfect 10, he knows it’s true. Not because of head-turning beauty. Not because of witty personality or mensa intellect. Not because you’re always up for a dare. But because you’re you. You’re a masterpiece. You’re His masterpiece. He is God.
You are a Perfect 10 because you’re made in the image of God. You are a Perfect 10 because God created you to be you. There is no one else like you. You’re one of a kind. Created with your circle of influence. Created with your likes, dislikes, skills and preferences. Created with your unique experiences. Created with your specific looks and characteristics that make you stand apart from everyone else. And God sees so much more than what other people see on the outside. God sees so much more than what our closest confidants know is on the inside. God sees all of us. And His thoughts about us don’t change.
You are priceless. You are special. You are irreplaceable.
You are a Perfect 10. I am a Perfect 10. In God’s eyes, we are all a Perfect 10. We may not feel like a Perfect 10 because we make mistakes, say stupid things, and often can’t function under pressure. But being God’s masterpiece is not about who we are or what we can do.
It’s about who God is and what He has already done for us.
There is only one God. He created us, shortcomings and all so we’d know we can’t save ourselves. And He sent His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross as a final sacrifice for all sin. His life was given. His blood was shed to cover our sins. To save us. Through Christ, we are made perfect. We are His reflection. We embody His Holy Spirit.
God chose to make us human for a reason. Not to be perfect in this world, but to be perfect in His image.
Here’s the thing: we’ll never be perfect in our own right. We haven’t lived up to our full potential, and we probably never will. We’ll continue to make bad decisions. Most of us will stumble and fall, and likely more than once. We may turn away from God many times before we turn back to Him. But that never changes how God sees us. When He looks at us, He sees His perfection because He sees Christ in us.
That’s not to say that God is okay with us staying the way we are.
God knows what He has planned for us during our journey on this earth as we grow in relationship with Him. He wants more for our lives than what we have today. But there’s nothing we can do to make God love us more. And there’s nothing we can do that will cause God to love us less. God loves us completely. Today. Tomorrow. Forever. He loves us just the way we are. But He loves us too much to let us stay this way.
Jesus says, “Come follow Me.” He wants us to walk forward with Him to new life. He wants to transform us from the inside out by the power of His Holy Spirit. Not because He would love us more if we were different. But because He loves us so much that He wants us to experience oneness with Him.
Oneness can only come when we stop trying to be something we’re not, and instead embrace the One who made us the way we are. A Perfect 10.
“With one sacrifice, then, He has made perfect forever those who are purified from sin.” Hebrews 10:14 (GNT)
May I pray?
Lord, we generally believe that anyone who thinks they’re perfect is conceited. And we know that perfection is unobtainable by anything we do. Help us to stop looking at our lives and our actions as perfect or imperfect, and instead start focusing on how we mirror You. Our true identity as children of God comes from You. Not because we deserve it. But because You love us. Perfectly. May we humbly confess our sins today as we accept Your love and embrace You fully. Amen.
Q4U: How would you describe a Perfect 10?