Confessions of a Recovering Perfectionist - Part 33

Grace and the River Parable

I recently finished the book “In the Grip of Grace” by Max Lucado.  At the beginning of the book he shares “The Parable of the River.”  Here’s a very rough and abridged retelling.  You should actually take a moment and read the whole thing.  It will only take a few minutes and is worth your time.  

Five brothers live together in their father’s castle.  Because of disobedience, the four younger brothers fall into a rushing river and are swept downstream.  Finally they arrive in a strange land, very different from the safety of their home, and far from their father.  In time they learn to hunt and survive.  From the beginning they agree to always remember their home and hope of returning someday.  

However, one by one the first three leave.

One son joins the savage inhabitants of the land, building a mud hut, and indulging in their hedonistic ways.  

The next son ends up judging the first pointing his finger in disgust and comparing the wayward son to his righteous self.

Another son begins stacking rocks in an attempt to build a path back to the castle, intending to save himself by earning his way back to his father’s presence.

The last son is visited by the eldest, Firstborn brother.  “Father has sent me here to bring you home,” the eldest says.  Entrusting his brother, he climbs on his back and begins the journey home.

After the parable, we are invited to ask ourselves which of the brothers describes our relationship with God.  Have I adopted the ways of the world?  Am I trying to emphasize my own righteousness by pointing out how much better I am than the sinners?  Do I attempt to work my way back to God on my own strength?  Or do I recognize my inability to make it back on my own, and rely on the merits of a Savior?  

I must say that my perfectionism tends to make me like the rock-stacking son.  The pressure to be self-sufficient is strong.  I have a list of requirements for salvation, and it’s my goal to check them off one by one.  If I can just be extremely good, then one day I’ll earn my place in Heaven.  

The problem with that kind of thinking?  I live in a fallen world.  It’s not possible to be that good in this life.  I’m a natural man—carnal, sensual, and devilish.  So I continually fall short and beat myself up for it.  

The goal in life of not to show how long I can go without a Savior.  The more I turn unto Him and receive His grace, the more I experience the mighty change of heart.  “There shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent” (Mosiah 3:17).

To be continued . . . with Part 34