In the interest of transparency, I should admit something. Somewhere between homeschooling and writing, between church and the grocery store, between day dreaming and striving, I have misplaced my high-achiever mojo. More than once this fact has made me feel like the “L” word.
But when I get to the bottom of that feeling, that feeling of being a “L”, what I really see is…I am a little scared, scared of falling on one end of the spectrum or the other, scared of missing the sweet spot.
As I abandoned Procrastination, I turned to my frenemy, Perfectionism, in an attempt to avoid the sinking feeling of failure. Procrastination has you failing before you start…it IS a failure TO start.
Surprisingly, I have learned that Perfectionism is failing before you start, too. A perfectionist has to believe, or at least hope, that they are able to wrestle perfection out of God’s Hand to put it to personal use.
Perfectionism says that there is no second prize, there is no glass half-full, there is no bright side, no silver lining.
Perfectionism is a merciless and jealous task master: saying that if it isn’t perfect, it isn’t worthy. Perfectionism can keep us from reaching our goals by causing us to fail to start (for fear of failing). Perfectionism keeps us from being satisfied with what we have, or what other people offer. Perfectionism causes failure because no matter what you do, it never feels like enough; because it just can’t be…perfect.
In the end, the most dangerous thing is that perfectionism leads us away from God. Thinking we can be perfect this side of heaven, or taking credit for our achievements or blessings, is all about pride. Pride says we can do this without God.
Perfectionism says we can be like God, without Him.
Sounds familiar:
But the serpent said to the woman, “You will surely not die.” For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil” (Gen 3:4-5).
Eve was tempted by the promise of becoming like God. What a lie! She already was like God, since she was made in His image (Gen 1:26). But she was grasping for more…And we all know how that turned out.
She was grasping for more…it seems like we are always grasping for more, unsatisfied with the gifts we have been given. But there is a sweet spot between wanting to do our best to glorify God and wanting to BE the best for our own glory.
The comfort I have found lately is in remembering that God’s work is finished. His work is complete and perfect. I am His work. You are too.
Our journey is the process, over time, of learning to be more like God, as we grow to know Him better and see our need for Him.
Time. He is not bound by time like we are. He is able to claim us as perfect because He will do it in the future, but He is already there, in the future, even now. And His work? It is finished.
The question for us is how will we live, as we wait for eternity? Meeting godly goals in order to honor Him brings us into closer relationship with Him. Whether in small obligations of daily life or in pressing, critical choices, our willing obedience protects us from sins like complaining, slothfulness, ingratitude, selfishness and pride.
Sin always separates. But in the middle, instead of sin, we can find that sweet spot. It is #ASimplerJoy…seeking His way brings contentment. This is the good life.
Is it just me? Anyone else trying to stay in the sweet spot? I hope that our look at goal-making this week has moved you in that direction:
- God’s goals vs. my goals
- Tiny Habits
- Do the Next Thing
- Act the Miracle
- Take Every Thought Captive
- How to Obey
Copyright: scis65 / 123RF Stock Photo
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