Tag Archives: Perfection

Perfection

Ordinary Time

January 31, 2023

Scripture Reading: Malachi 3:1-4

For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap; he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the Lord in righteousness. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years. –Malachi 3:2-4

I connect Paul to the use of the word perfection calling us to strive to be perfect. However, Jesus is quoted as saying. Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect (Matthew 5:48). The Greek word, teleios*, could also mean being complete, fully matured, or possessing wholeness—all descriptors that are probably more comfortable to us English speakers than perfection. In our competitive world, there is always something better than our “now” toward which to strive to make perfection almost impossible.

We tend to think of perfection as an end product, but striving for perfection requires us also to maintain the wholeness we have gained while seeking even more maturity. It is a balancing act of constant self-examination resulting in any indicated corrections. I am not a sailor, but I have friends who are. I have watched how they carefully steer the boat to adjust to the wind and the waves. We, too, must adjust to the wind and the waves of life that can quickly throw us off course unless we intentionally stay ahead of the storm through our communion with God.

Prayer: Lord, stay ever near us as we sail through the challenges of life and mature, following you more nearly. Amen.

*https://biblehub.com/greek/5046.htm

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Perfect Power is Love

Perfect Love Casts Out Fear!Living in the Spirit
August 18, 2016

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 12:18-29

But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. –Hebrews 12:22-24

The other side of this statement of God’s all-powerful nature is recorded by the Psalmist Chapter 8: When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
   the moon and the stars that you have established;
what are human beings that you are mindful of them,
   mortals that you care for them?

 Perfect power is love. One of my kindergarten-teacher nieces, I have two, forwarded a Facebook message at the start of the school year that simply said something to the effect that children with special needs want the same outcomes in life as anyone else and simply want to be treated with that in mind. What may be perceived by some as imperfect attains perfection in love. Christ desires the perfection of our love and enables it through his love.

This human has a long way to go toward perfect love and takes great solace in knowing that the very source of love has my back as I engage a world, God’s world, struggling to love like Jesus loves. When lesser gods try to entice me with instant gratification or personal gain or attaining power, I can be transformed by God’s perfect love as can all humans.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for sending Jesus as a perfect example of love and for sustaining his work through the gift of the Spirit. Hold fast to we leafs on your vine who need such nourishment each day. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized 
Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council 
of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights 
reserved.

Pressing on to Perfection

Rocking an infant Living in the Spirit
Light a Candle for Children
October 3, 2014

 Scripture Reading: Philippians 3:4b-14

 Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on towards the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.
 — Philippians 3:12-14

Paul is admonishing us not to be frozen into inaction by fear of imperfection. No, we are not perfect. Yes, we do make mistakes. Most athletes, serious athletes, will tell you that if they make a mistake they learn from it and then let it go. On the football field or basketball court, there is not enough time to wallow in despair that one drops a pass or sends a dunk into the bleachers instead of through the hoop. The other team may be halfway down the field or court in that time of self-flagellation. The same is true of followers of Christ.

While we don’t necessarily watch film of our every play following a game, we do need to revisit, in as objective way as possible, the actions that we have deemed a failure. When we  carefully craft a program to get people involved in mission and the same stalwart souls are the only ones who show up that does not necessarily mean that we should discontinue trying to get everyone involved in some type of service to others. Perhaps we need to start at an earlier point, for example, in study to explain why we care. Perhaps we need to engage the non-participants in planning so that the service we provide is something about which they can feel some ownership. Perhaps we need to provide training because doing service does not come naturally to all. Perhaps we need to spend time in prayer together asking for God’s discerning guidance on how we can best be in mission.

I have seen the joy of making a difference in the life of a child spread across the face of many people who would tell you that they never imagined themselves as a tutor, a big brother or sister, a cuddlier of preemies in an infant ICU, or a little league coach. I think that same action brings joy to God’s face, also.

Oklahoma Fact: In 2012, 13% of all births in Oklahoma were premature.*

Prayer: Make us each a blessing to some child today and tomorrow and the next day. Amen.

*http://datacenter.kidscount.org/data/tables/18-preterm-births?loc=38&loct=2#detailed/2/38/false/868,867,133,38,35/any/279,280

 All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.