PERFECTION

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
--Matt. 5:48, NRSV

Jesus said unto him, "If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou
hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in
heaven..." -Matt/ 19:21, KJV

I agree with Kathleen Norris, "Perfectionism is one of the scariest words I know."

But the good news about the word "perfect" as used in the New Testament is that it is not a scary word. It does not mean to set forth an impossible goal. It means to be complete, entire, full-grown. It means to be "mature."

If we would see perfection in this way--the Jesus way, instead of the Martha Stewart way, maybe we wouldn't be so scared.

The mature person is one who isn't so preoccupied with self-image. Not being so concerned with self they can freely give themselves to others.

Isn't this what Jesus said we should do?