“Be Thou Perfect”

The Bible says in Genesis 17:1, “And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.”

When I was young, I had a very material view of what perfection must be. To be perfect meant everything from being clean and well-groomed, to no missteps or flubbed words, to being smart and funny. In my adult years, I added hardworking, able to pay the bills, and whatever else I needed to do to keep my little corner of the universe going. All that didn’t work long, though, as the material way is always doomed.

Since being in Plainfield, my understanding of what it means to be perfect has changed. In any given situation, perfection can only be brought about by listening to how God is directing me to express His qualities, and then actually doing it. What a hugely different thought for me, yet one that makes complete sense.

I know I am just starting to understand, but it is so exciting to be able to see beyond my childish thoughts, beyond material beliefs, to the spiritual truth.