Not long ago two ten-year-old girls asked me a question: “Is that true that there are people that want to do everything perfectly?” When I explained to them who perfectionists are, one of them replied, “So does this mean that they want to be like God? Because only God is perfect!” And I was marveled at the simplicity and wisdom of this revelation.
Only God is perfect!
Some people say that in a job application you should put perfectionism as your negative trait. In their strive to make everything perfect, perfectionists sacrifice a lot, especially their own peace of mind. I think many of us are familiar with constant self-judgment for bad grades or wrong words. How many of us are afraid to make mistakes, afraid to fail, too shy for public speaking? How many of us beat ourselves up for the smallest failures!
In American schools, kids from the first to the last grade do all their work in pencil. From early childhood, they are told one simple truth that it’s okay to make mistakes! Mistakes are a part of a learning process, they are indicators of our human nature and of our growth. It’s okay to not know something, it’s okay to not be perfect! Seeking excellence at the price of your own health and peace of mind (and heart) is not the best idea.
In regards to excellence and perfection, there’s only one ideal in this world and it’s described in Colossians 3:14.
“Above all of these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony” Col. 3:14
If you want to achieve this perfect harmony by yourself, you’re not going to succeed because you’re human. But if you want to become as close to perfection as possible, learn how to love. Perfect love can be learned from the perfect and eternal Source - Jesus Christ. He showed us an example of holiness, humility, and compassion - and this is what I want to strive for. Not for perfectionism, but for the love of Christ!
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