Stepford Christians
Have you ever heard the term "Stepford Wives?" It is a phrase that entered the American vocabulary in the mid-1970s after a novel and then a made-for-television movie of the same name were released.
The Stepford Wives were graceful women who lived in a charming neighborhood, Stepford. They were perfect homemakers and wives, submissive and attractive and flawless. After a new family moves in, the wife believes these other women are being brainwashed. How could they all be so perfect? Were their husbands responsible? The reality is worse than she suspects, though. She discovers that they have all been replaced by androids. And she may be next!
Does it sound far-fetched? Well, it is 1970s drama. But, let's look beyond wives. Do you know any Stepford Christians? Do you know perfect Christians who have it all together? Sure you do! They seem to have the perfect family, perfect house, perfect casserole dishes. Maybe they lead a Bible study and feed the poor and walk on water in their spare time! No. There are no perfect Christians because we are imperfect people. The lady who runs VBS without a hair out of place may cuss when she kicks a table leg barefooted. That deacon who shakes everyone's hands and encourages you with a slap on the back may be struggling with unforgiveness.
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 1 John 1:8
I am not pointing this out to make others look bad. We all have issues. And, we all have Christians we respect: people we know who are strong in the faith and are role models for others. But we should be careful not to put them on pedestals. Unless they are androids, they will readily admit that they aren't perfect. And that's okay.
God made us with free will — something the wives in Stepford didn't have. He loves us so much that He wants us to learn and grow and make our own decisions. He knew when He gave us free will that we would make mistakes. But He wants us to love Him so much that we turn to him when we mess up. He wants us to repent. When we repent, we recognize what we did wrong, ask for forgiveness, and determine not to do it again. We aren't perfect, and sometimes we mess up. But God is still there, waiting with open arms for us to return to Him — freely and with our own will.
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 2 Peter 3:9
We don't have to give up. We can reach up to God, and we can reach out to other people. Let's be honest with others about our struggles. It is easier for people to ask for help and for prayer when they know you are imperfect. Let's leave the androids in Stepford, accept our flaws, and embrace our loving, forgiving God.
