For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a
good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.…Philippians
1:6
Sometimes I have been stymied from starting because I have
tried to figure out the ending before the beginning. I want it to be “perfect”
so I never get started.
But my Heavenly Father is teaching me a valuable insight about
perfection.
It’s not going to be perfect when you start it. Get started
and perfect it. Don’t be afraid of failure. Failure is part of the process to
perfection.
Perfection does not necessarily mean without flaw. We have
come to see the word “perfect” to mean flawless. But the word perfection can
also mean the act of making something perfect. Perfection can also mean a state
of completeness. Perfection can mean the highest quality attainable.
The word perfection comes from the Latin word “perficio”
which means to finish or to bring to an end. Perfection literally means “a
finishing” and perfect means “finished.”
Aristotle explained the concept of perfection with three
concepts.
- 1. Which is complete, contains all requisite parts (nothing to add or subtract)
- 2. Which is so good that nothing of the kind could be better
- 3. Which has attained its purpose.
The “paradox of perfection” according to philosophy is that
the greatest perfection is imperfection. The argument goes that if the world
were perfect, it could not improve and so would lack "true
perfection," which depends on progress.
I’m learning to embrace failure and my mistakes, not as an
excuse, but as a teaching tool and part of the process to progress and perfection
(completeness). I’m learning to do it, get started. At least if you start, you have something to work with, edit, learn from or improve.
I praise God that every day, He is “perfecting” me, making
me complete in Christ. He is molding and making me so that I can fulfill the
purpose that He created me. I can’t let procrastination deter me because
then I am depending on me and what I can do, instead of relying on and trusting
in my Heavenly Father and what He is trying to do in me and through me.
I keep pressing toward the mark of the high calling in
Christ Jesus. I haven’t obtained it, as Paul said, but one thing I do is press
on. I press on to be “perfect,” not flawless but complete. Not without mistakes
but striving for excellence. Learning from my mistakes and not letting them
hold me in bondage to fear of failure. For if you fear failure, you’re already
defeated.
This posting may not be “perfect” but it will be perfect if
it fulfills God’s purpose. And what is my ultimate purpose? To bring Him glory.
I am glad that God told me years ago that I don’t have to
compare of compete because I am COMPLETE in Him. He is able to perfect and
complete me. “He that began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of
Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6) God does, can and will finish what He starts.
So if you’re like me, don’t be afraid. God has not given
you a spirit of fear but of love, power and a sound mind. If you're operating in fear, you're not in His will. Operate in faith
instead of fear. Get started. Learn from the process. Grow from it. It’s all a
part of the journey to your perfection.
