Perfect

per⋅fec⋅tion – noun

1. the state or quality of becoming perfect.
2. the highest degree of proficiency, skill, or excellence, as in some art.
3. a perfect embodiment or example of something.
4. a quality, trait, or feature of the highest degree or excellence.
5. the highest or most nearly perfect degree of a quality or trait.
6. the act or fact of perfecting.


Perfection. It is something that many of us seek after. The perfect school, the perfect body, the perfect job, the perfect spouse, the perfect car, the perfect house...

The perfect life.

But perfection is an illusion. An indulgence that much of the world does not share in. At least the perfection that society and the world try to push us to achieve. The ideals of our culture (at least in America) is that we have to be the best, demand the best, and only expect the best.

Our food must be brought out in prompt time, exactly how we ordered it, or we are miserable, complain, and short the waiter/waitress of their tip. Then we will complain to our friends how horrible the food and service was.

Meanwhile, in an orphanage on the other side of the world, the children on the even numbered floors don't eat today, because there isn't enough food. Perfect.

We sit in our temperature controlled cars, stuck in construction traffic for an extra five minutes on out way to some a game or movie. We complain about it because now we missed the tip off, the opening scene, or worse yet...the previews...

Meanwhile, somewhere in Africa, a little girl walks miles, barefoot, to find water for her little brother. And when she gets it, it's filthy. Perfect.

Our youth dress in only the best clothes. They become obsessed with their appearance. Guys focus only on the body, while girls wear things too short and too low, because it's "cute," and all the boys stare. Then they will complain that this boy didn't pay attention, or that girl didn't notice.

While in Europe, young women disappear, or are sold by their parents into the life of a sex slave. Forced into becoming drug addicts so that they will sell their bodies for another hit. Perfect.

We have deluded ourselves, or worse, allowed ourselves to be deceived into thinking that if everything looks ok, if everything is clean and shiny in front of us...all is right with the world. We have the perfect job, the spouse, the clothes, the house, the kids all of that.

But what isn't seen, is the pain and hurt your wife feels because you work long hours and spend no time with her, and you are thinking about that attractive woman at the end of the bar. Your son is suicidal ready to end his life because expectations are so high, and it'd be easier to just not exist. Your daughter is thinking of sleeping with some guy at a party just because she thinks that is what will make her cool. She doesn't even know his name. Perfect.

Our culture, our society, or government is even telling us that we can achieve this goal of perfection. Lies. Because their view of perfection is self-serving.

We will never be perfect if all we strive for is to make ourselves look, feel, be...better.

Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment was. The greatest idea in the Law. What he said, was not what anyone expected. He said:

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

God first. Others second. How?

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Most times, when the Bible speaks of perfection it is in the purity of God, his plans, or what Jesus has done and will bring. But we are challenged to be perfect like our Father is perfect.

You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Again we are told to love our enemies. Not just those who are good to us. Because everyone is good to those who are good to them. We are called to be different. To strive for a different kind of perfection. Not in our stuff, or appearance...but in our love. God lets the sun shine on the good and bad. We need to be nice to our friends and those that are not friendly.

Don't look to our leaders, or our celebrities, gurus, or Oprah to tell you how to be perfect. Look to Jesus. He didn't drive around in best chariot or wagon of the day. He hoofed it on foot. He didn't keep the rich and famous as his disciples. He hung out with smelly fishermen and tax collectors. But his humble surroundings weren't all he did. He looked after the sick and dying. Sheltered the orphans and widows. He challenged the concept of the day that praying loudly in public for all to hear, with praying quietly, simply and alone so as not to boast.

I'm not saying stuff is bad. A life focused on stuff is. It's ok to take care of yourself, but you should also be taking care of others. What can you do today, this week, to help someone else?

Perfection of any kind comes with a price. Most forms of it are not worth that cost. But know this, Jesus already paid the ultimate price. What we endure in serving him, in trying to be like him, we should count as a blessing...for then we know we are doing it right.

Let us give up our perfection, and seek after His.