The Pursuit of Perfection

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (1 John 1:8-10 ESV). I have one last quote from the afterword of my book. This quote was written by Aaron. Again, I want to be sure that your focus is not on me, but on the truth that I have tried to impart and follow. I can assure you that I have gotten it wrong at least as much as I got it right. The key is not in the doing, but the striving. Perhaps it will be an inspiration and encouragement to you. Aaron wrote: Perfect. This one little adjective carries perhaps more weight in our society than any other. Whether it’s a physical or emotional goal, we all seem to be seeking perfection in our lives. Unfortunately—as we all discover at some point in our lives—perfection doesn’t exist. This is probably the greatest lesson that I learned from my father growing up. Now some might say that this is at the very least a quite ordinary lesson, or some might even go so far as to say it’s encouraging the mediocre, but I see it in a different light. When we stop striving for perfection it isn’t that we’re no longer working to better our lives and the lives of those we love, but rather we learn to focus on the things that really matter. Letting go of our incessant need for perfection allows us to stop and appreciate all of the wonderful moments that come and go throughout our lives. I look around at some of the people in my life, whether they be friends, coworkers, or extended family members, and I see how the pressure for perfection from their parents growing up has negatively affected the rest of their lives. They have become convinced that anything short of perfect is somehow a failure. I feel so blessed to have experienced a different childhood—one where my father never asked for perfect. Instead, he asked for my best. Whether it was my grades in school, a tennis match, or a piano recital, he never demanded that I be perfect. He encouraged me to do my best. This encouragement is what I am most thankful for in my life, as it allowed (and continues to allow) me to explore life without fear of disappointing. The pursuit of perfection indeed is empty and unfulfilling. We simply cannot get there from here! Demanding perfection from ourselves or others is more than God does with us. It is arrogant to think that we have the right to demand more than He does. The real key is in the journey. I have often reminded myself that every failure is merely another step in the progress I am making to my ultimate position of glory through the work of Christ. My failures become experiences that make that journey better in so many ways. I learn from each of them that I may be wiser in the future; I recognize them as the markers of life. Be kind to yourself, your family, and others. Do your best and encourage others to do the same. Then celebrate the experience as God works for your good!