Perfectly Imperfect

Most Sundays, I head to Makó for a second worship service in the afternoon. There is an older man who worships there that has been the organist for the congregation for a very long time, and he loves playing the music and signing. It is always fun to listen to him play, as there is the actual tempo of the song, the tempo he plays, and the tempo he sings. He also is the loudest singer in the church.

It could be easy to be frustrated or annoyed with the imperfections of the music every week at church. It could be easy to insist he is getting too old and should retire. It could be easy to let the music ruin the service.

But this congregation is so full of love and acceptance that they never say anything negative about this man and his music. They simply attempt to follow along the best they can, and let him lead the way. Providing music brings him joy, and that in turns brings all of them joy.

Every week in Makó I find myself smiling as he plays. I see that love, acceptance, and joy are more important than perfection. I feel God in the room. I remember that coming together in community to worship God is what Sunday service is about, not a show or performance that must be rehearsed and have no mistakes. I remember that God does not call us to be judgemental, but loving and accepting.

This man does not allow the pressures of being perfect take away from the joy he feels when praising God through song. Rather, his passion for his work is an opportunity for God’s light to shine out of him. His joy brings others joy that may not be present during this time of worship if the only concern was being perfect. God does not call us to be perfect, but to find joy in what we do.

We are all perfectly imperfect, and all we are asked is to do all that we do with love, acceptance, and joy.