YOU Brighten His Joy

“Jesus is excited to see what choices we’re going to make!” 

This was a statement my 17-year-old son came home with the other day. In seminary, they had just talked about Sister Tamara W. Runia’s talk from the most recent general conference and my son came home super pumped. He’d already been studying present perfection for the last several months (his speech topic for the debate team was actually on this subject) and been trying to convince his teacher and classmates that we are perfect today! This talk sealed the deal for him and it was so fun to watch his face all lit up with the understand that God is our greatest cheerleader! 

I know the topic of present perfection is new and uncomfortable for some. “Why not just eliminate the word perfect from our vocabulary altogether,” one friend lamented.  But I have been studying perfectionism both personally and now professionally for over ten years and have found great value in the word perfect. In scripture we read that Jesus expects us to be perfect (2 Cor. 13:11; 3 Ne. 12:48). 

The word is not the problem. 

Satan has the power to take words and make them his own. It’s one of his great tactics in deceiving us. He is the father of all lies, after all! Both the world and the Lord tell us we are to be perfect. The world tacks on the thought: in order to be worthy of love you must be perfect. The Lord says no such thing. Our perfection is founded on His love for us. 

Jesus says: 

• I give you weakness that you may be humble
• I suffered that you need not suffer 
• Think not for tomorrow, but let tomorrow think for itself
• You are all one body, part of my body 
• What manner of men ought ye to be? Even as I am 

This is the Lord’s definition of perfect — that you are His and that alone makes you perfect and worthy of love. 

Stumbling Blocks to Believing in our Perfection

We worry that if we think of ourselves as perfect, we’re never going to amount to anything. Maybe we’ll get lazy or never change or become prideful. Maybe we’ll stop needing God. Maybe we’ll think too highly of ourselves. 

Again, this is because we are believing the wrong definition of perfect. I’m not talking about the, “You’re perfect just the way you are” kind of perfect, excusing us from making restitution when needed. No, this is a you are WORHTY OF LOVE kind of perfect. Full stop. And when we believe we are worthy of love, miraculous things happen in our lives and we become a great influence to those around us. 

Sister Runia states, “Bathed in His light, you’ll see people all around you who have felt alone too, but now, with the light on, you and they will wonder, ‘Why were you so afraid in the dark? And why did you stay there so long?’”

I have felt this kind of love! When you feel deeply the love of God within and for yourself, you can’t help but want to share it with others. I want everyone to feel truly and deeply loved for who they are and for what they can contribute to the world around them — big and small. 

As Sister Runia touches on, the Savior doesn’t sit there waiting for you to mess up. He’s not waiting for you to pray so he can tell you all the bad things you did that day and how disappointed He is in you.  No, Sister Runia says, “Listen for that voice that says good things about you—the voice of the Savior, your finest friend, and your Father in Heaven, who is really there.” 

Why do we think He is waiting for us to mess up? Why not believe that He is there cheering us on instead? Why not believe that He sees us as perfect — using His definition of the word? Which goes back to my son’s statement earlier, “Jesus is with us and excited to see what choices we make!” 

“Picture your favorite image of Christ. Now imagine Him smiling brightly with joy each time you use His gift, because He is the ‘perfect brightness of hope.’” Sister Runia is speaking of repentance in this instance, but I see it as much more than that. Jesus is always smiling brightly with joy as He looks down on us, every step, not only when we misstep and pivot back. No, He is always there seeing in us our perfect state. 

Perfect Enough Today

I’m also not talking about eventual perfection as Elder Holland so eloquently spoke of several years ago. There will be perfecting of the body later. There will be a greater wholeness found in the next life. I’m sure of that. But that does not preclude us from enjoying the perfection we have today. 

Richard Rohr states, “I’m not saying we get to achieve perfect wholeness here, but enough to enjoy it. Enough to take delight in it. Enough to let others enjoy you!” 

And so, my friends, I believe you are perfect today and every day! And by that I mean you are worthy of love in every moment. God is watching over you and excited to see what you will choose!  Living from that place, with those thoughts, makes life much more joyful! 

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“I believe the Savior Jesus Christ would want you to see, feel and know that He is your strength. That your potential is limitless. He would want you to see yourself the way He sees you.” — Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf