FACE.me Day Challenge

Confession time.

I am a perfectionist.

Unfortunately the trait didn’t come with the skills to back up my idealism in most areas of my life. But one thing I can control is how I present myself to the world. Even if my life is far from perfect, I can put on my mask of perfection and create the illusion that I have it all together.  

I don’t leave the house without flawless make-up. You’ll never catch me at the store in my yoga pants. And if you ask me how I’m doing, I’ll probably smile and say everything’s fine. Even if my life’s about to come apart at the seams.

Somewhere along the way, I became so focused on keeping up appearance that I failed to recognize the deceit in the practice. I withhold myself from people who are trying to form a connection with me because I’m afraid they might see the truth. I’m a mess.

I don’t want to be a mess. I want to be perfect. I want to be the kind of person God can use. And why would he want the messy, frazzled, imperfection that I am without the mask?

But God’s been showing me something lately through His word. He didn’t use any perfect people. As a matter of fact, everyone He used was flawed by my standards.

God doesn’t use perfection. He uses transparency. He wants to show the beauty of the transformation process through the mess.

And what ever made me think I know how to better present perfection and beauty than the Lord of Lords and King of Kings? I am created in His image. He molded me exactly how he wanted me. And maybe he gave me a generous dose of creativity in place of my share of organizational skill because he has a purpose for that in my life.

So today, I’m joining FACE.me day and I’m taking off the mask. Psalm 139:14 says I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.

I am fearfully and wonderfully made, flaws and all!

My mask puts a barrier between me and the people I meet. How many friendships have I forfeited? How many opportunities have I missed? All in the name of my own skewed version of perfection. And worse, I have built a barrier between me and God because I’ve resisted who he created me to be. Playing pretend doesn’t work with God. He sees it all.

I’ll be honest. I’m not interested in forever abandoning make-up. I’m not convinced God has required that of me. But I am going to focus on being more transparent and breaking down the barrier I’ve created to perpetuate the lie of perfection.

I’m not perfect. I’m flawed. But I’m God’s work in progress. And that’s a whole different kind of beautiful.

You’ve see my bare face. Now it’s your turn. I challenge you to take off your mask today and post a make-up free photo of yourself on facebook. Because you are fearfully and wonderfully made, let’s praise Him together!

For more FACE.me inspiration check out the other blogs on this make-up free blog tour: 

Nick Kording: http://nickkording.com/thoughts/...
Lindsay Harrel: http://www.lindsayharrel.com
Joseph Courtemanche: http://www.commotioninthepews.com
Gabrielle Meyer: http://www.gabriellemeyer.com
Jaime Wright: http://coffeecupsandcamisoles.blogspot.com
Carrie Wisehart: http://www.carriewisehart.com
Emilie Anne Hendryx: http://eahendryx.blogspot.com
Sarah Baker: http://godbooksandchocolate.blogspot.com/?m=1
Kristy Cambron: http://www.kristycambron.com
Rachel Britz: http://www.rachelbritz.com
Cara Putman: http://www.caraputman.com
Stacy Monson: http://www.Landof10000words.wordpress.com
Laurie Tomlinson: http://www.laurietomlinson.com