Perfectionism vs. Excellence

What's wrong with this picture? It was taken when we were in the breathtaking Canadian Rockies. Those majestic mountains, the azure blue of the sky, the verdant green forest all scream, "GORGEOUS"! But then there's that wacky tree. Does it bug you? I don't have PhotoShop, but I am sure there are people who could "fix" it. Then my picture would be "perfect".

REALLY?


That's the way my brain works sometimes. Okay, it's not my brain. It's my heart.

Oh great . . .


Here comes another object lesson right, Lord?

Why do I want it perfect? 

Perfectionism: a personal standard, attitude, or philosophy that demands perfection and rejects anything less.

What gives me the right to "reject"? What gives me the right to define the standard? Isn't it because I know how things should be, what's best, what I/others need? 


Oh, I see, it's Pride. (head drooping)

Pride. The sin of satan. Pride. To say I am the standard of measurement. Pride. To say I know best. Pride. It is such an ugly word when it reveals such arrogance. 

Perfectionism (aka: Pride) is focused on me, but the collateral damage devastates. And when that is the lens through which I see the Lord's Creation, it grieves His Father Heart. 

For His lens is Love. 

Perfectionism builds walls and causes separation. His Love seeks to gather us all unto Himself.

Instead of striving for Perfectionism, He would have me strive for Excellence. Doing everything as unto the Lord. For Him, not for me. For His Glory. Not mine. That's the difference. It's about the Glory. And it's all His. Not a single speck is safe for me, because it will only increase my desire for more.

Excellence versus Perfectionism is like Relationship versus Religiosity. It's like Grace versus Pharisaical Law. Perfectionism, Religiosity and Pharasaical Law are all about making someone jump through hoops. It's devoid of Life for our spirits. It bears no eternal fruit. It brings only bondage. And He is all about True Freedom.


Doing my best out of Love and releasing to Him my expectations of others brings Him Glory. It is filled with Life. It speaks to my spirit. It touches Eternity.


It's a beautiful scene. The mountains, the sky, and the trees all scream: The heavens declare the glory of God. The skies proclaim the work of His Hands. Day after day they pour forth speech. Night after night they display knowledge.


I think I will leave the tree as it is.