Pink’s Perfect
Pink's new song has advice for people who are finding life tough. But is she right?
Pink likes to make music that forces people to think, and her latest hit, which we will just call ‘Perfect’ is no exception. The song itself explores the important issues of identity and self belief in a sometimes cruel world. The message seems to be that we all have “made a wrong turn, once or twice” and a “bad decision” every now and then. I know I have! We have all been “mistreated, misplaced, misunderstood”, “mistaken” and “underestimated”. Right again, Pink! We can even feel like we are “nothing”. I am with you Pink!
The video clip adds another dimension to the song. The clip shows a girl struggling with the issues of alienation, depression, bullying, self-harm and suicide. These are all real and painful issues.
Pink seems to understand something of my life, and maybe yours too. But what do you do when you make a wrong turn or are misunderstood or feel like nothing? What do you do when you are depressed or suicidal?
What do you do when life is hard?
Pink says that the answer is to see yourself as nothing less than “perfect”. You should be positive about yourself, “Change the voices in your head, make them like you instead”. Don’t worry about what anybody else thinks; just ignore the “critics”, who are “everywhere”. So is Pink right?
Well, Pink is right in identifying some of the problems of growing up in this world. And Pink is right in saying that self-harm and suicide are not the answer when you are alienated, bullied and depressed.
However, I don’t think Pink is right when she says that we should see ourselves as “perfect”. Our “wrong turns” and “bad decisions” are often a result of our sin and rebellion against God. And God says that the answer to these sins is not to just sweep them under the carpet and believe that you are perfect. God says the answer is to recognize that you are not perfect and confess your sins to Him. And when you do that, the most amazing thing happens. Because Jesus died for sins (yours, mine and the worlds), we can be forgiven and washed clean.
1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
And when we turn to Christ, God actually declares us “perfect” in his sight, not because we are perfect, but because Jesus was perfect.
Jesus is the only truly perfect person
So what do you do when you are make a wrong turn or are misunderstood or are depressed, or suicidal?
Firstly, if you are really depressed, or considering self-harm or suicide, you need to speak to someone who can help you. If you’re in Australia you can call Lifeline on 131144, or go to www.lifeline.org.au. There are similar organisations in every country (contact a local doctor for phone numbers).
Secondly, don’t try to see yourself as perfect. Look to Jesus and his perfect death for you. Confess your sins and accept the amazing gift of being declared perfect in God’s sight. And keep on confessing your sins all the days you live with Jesus as your Perfect Saviour.
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