Saturday, January 16, 2010

The Pursuit of Perfection

The pursuit of perfection is all around us. Everywhere you turn, the TV or magazine ads promise perfection if you buy their product, or do this. Our American dream is saturated with this idea of perfection. We pursue it, often at great detriment to our own well-being and health. How many times have we uttered the phrase, "I could have done that better", never delighting in the accomplishment for what it is worth.

I have come to this realization, pursuing perfection is a trap. We have bought into the lie. Hook, line and sinker. Not only have we bought, there are some who will defend this as the right thing. Claiming it as a christian virtue.

In my opinion, pursuing perfection is a form of idolatry. The bible is clear, if we pursue something other than God, we are pursuing a false god. And how clever of the enemy to dangle this idea of perfection, as if it were even attainable. And when we fail, we beat ourselves up because we have somehow let God down. Throughout scripture God makes it very clear, we are not saved or made whole by our own might and strength, but only through the grace of God. It is only when we acknowledge our human condition of fallibility, that we become free to be the creature God designed us to be, which is closer to perfection that we could ever do on our own accord. God is wonderful like that!

With perfection there is no room for grace, but only frustration and tension. We will always mess up, but when we turn to God and allow him to work through us and in us, we begin to to see his perfection of design!

1 comment:

Sharon Piatt said...

Thank you oh so much, sister! Perfectionism is something that has tried to master me in many areas for years. Satan has attempted to occupy me with this in many areas... from physical appearance to teaching sunday school. I have always told myself that there has to be a balance between doing things perfectly right or "best" and doing all things well. Balance is only found while keeping my eyes on the One who gave me the gifts and abilities in the first place... and after all, it's not about me, It's about Him.

thanks,
Sharon
http://inhotpursuitofmoreandless.blogspot.com/