THE PERCEPTION OF PERFECTION

“As for God, His Way is Perfect; the word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him” – 2 Samuel 22: 31

Vital to the Pursuit of Perfection is the PERCEPTION of PERFECTION: “As for God, His Way is Perfect; the word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him” (2 Sam.22:31). How perfect is perfect enough? Many people, trapped in “perfectionism,” often set human standards of perfection that can hardly ever be attained. They not only expect such perfection of themselves, but translate the same to those they live and work with. The stress of maintaining this distorted perception of perfection causes a drain on the spirit, mind, and body. Only God is perfect, as manifested in His Son Jesus!

We aren’t perfect, but we are being perfected to be more like Jesus. To finetune our Perception of Perfection, let's adapt this interesting ACRONYM of the word – P-E-R-F-E-C-T – as found in an online blog:

P – Plan and prepare ahead as best as you can:  “The preparations of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirits. Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established” (Pro.16:3). Proper planning involves a lot of praying beforehand. The Lord will show us the right way to move forward as we seek His favour in prayerful planning and preparation.

E – Expect that not everything may go your way: “There are many plans in a man’s heart, nevertheless the Lord’s counsel – that will stand”. (Pro 19:21). As long as God’s counsel stands, not every plan in my heart is bound to! God uses even our setbacks and failures to help us grow in surprising ways. The godly response to disappointment is to remain calm and faithful. Joseph was calm and faithful from the pit to the prison, until he was promoted to prominence in Pharaoh’s palace.

R – Remind yourself that you are a work in progress: “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead” (Phi. 3:12-13). If we cling to the truths of God’s word, He will deliver from our errors and restore us to the right path.

F – Forsake negative confessions and words of discouragement, doubt and fear from others: “Let no one deceive you with empty words…” (Eph.5:6). We must denounce any words that contradict what God says about us: “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor.10:4-5).

E – Encourage others who fail rather than judge them: “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted” (Gal. 6:1). Gently correct, but speak the truth in love to those who fall short of their calling. Your perfecting unfolds as you share grace and mercy with others.

C – Connect with positive mentors or counsellors: “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching” (Heb.10:25).  Being an active part of a ministry is an opportunity to give and receive grace, and edify the body of Christ.

T – Take away lessons from every situation to improve on later: “They go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion” (Psa. 84:7). No pain is ever wasted in God’s Kingdom. He wants us to learn so that we can become stronger in faith and be a guiding light to others who struggle in similar challenges (2Cor.1:3-4).