Excellence Versus Perfectionism

All of us want to be successful and to be able to do things well. We accept the affirmation we receive for a job well done or a goal achieved, and so we should. Unfortunately for some of us, we set goals that are unreasonable and then find it impossible to celebrate progress rather than perfection.

And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him. (Hebrews 12:1b-2a; 5,:8-9, NIV)

What comfort these words from the Bible give us. Only Jesus is perfect and we are not Jesus. We find perfection by trusting in the finished work of the only person who was perfect. Jesus is the "perfecter of our faith." The Bible is full of imperfect characters like us who were loved and redeemed by the one true God.
God is not looking for perfection in us but rather that we have faith in the perfect work of His beloved Son. God desires obedience to His word as our focus. He wants us to acknowledge our failures and have an open heart to His forgiveness, His cleansing, and His restoration. That is life at its best for whoever chooses it.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I want to live well, but I know that I can't do life perfectly. You know that too and so You sent Jesus to suffer and die for my sins so I could receive forgiveness and healing for the failures You knew I would experience. I put my trust once more in You, for only in Your power can I live a life of excellence and joy. Amen
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