Perfection?

 

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. (Philippians 2:1-13 ESV).

 

In my first year as a Baptist Student Minister assigned to Tyler Junior College, I was also one of the approved teachers of Bible at the college. I taught two courses each semester. One was an entry level course and the other was more in depth for second year students. I remember the first class very well. Some of these young men and women are still friends today. It is amazing to see their growth and maturity. I recall one young lady in particular. She refused to hand in any work unless it was perfect. She was a bright and dedicated student, but she nearly failed the course because so much work was not handed in. I sat down with her at the end of the semester, and we discussed her paralyzing perfectionism. Then we planned for her to retake the course as an independent study, and she passed with flying colors.

 

It can be easy for us to fall into a similar perfectionism in following Jesus. A voice within us can convince us that if we are not following Jesus perfectly, we are sinning. We must trust that God will continue to work in us even though we aren’t always sure how to do what God is leading us to do. God does the real work of perfecting us. We are tasked with being willing students.