I
am careful not to confuse excellence with perfection. Excellence,
I can reach for; perfection is God's business.
--Michael J. Fox,
quoted by Lorne A. Adrain in 'The Most Important Thing I Know'
Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but
when there is nothing left to take away.
--Antoine de Saint-Exupery (1900 - 1944)
Try as hard as we may for perfection, the net result of our labors
is an amazing variety of imperfectness. We are surprised at our
own versatility --Samuel McChord Crothers
Endeavor to be always patient of the faults and imperfections of
others for thou has many faults and imperfections of thine own that
require forbearance. If thou are not able to make thyself that which
thou wishest, how canst thou expect to mold another in conformity
to thy will?
--Thomas a Kempis (1380 - 1471)
Assert your right to make a few mistakes. If people can't accept
your imperfections, that's their fault.
--Dr. David M. Burns
Remember that fear always lurks behind perfectionism. Confronting
your fears and allowing yourself the right to be human can, paradoxically,
make you a far happier and more productive person.
--Dr. David M. Burns
Interestingly,
Jesus made a similar entreaty to his disciples: “Be perfect,
therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48).
I’ve always found this verse somewhat frustrating as well. Who
can be perfect? Doesn’t the mere attempt just lead to striving
and guilt? But when you look at it the way Coach Gaines does, suddenly
it makes “perfect” sense. Jesus isn’t saying that
life—being human—is about being the best. It’s not
even about performing “your own personal best.” It’s
about allowing the challenges you face to mold you into the best person
you can be. This is accomplished not through striving or guilt but
by inviting God to manifest his perfect character through you during
such circumstances. “We all dig our own holes,” says Gaines.
If so, then perhaps yielding to this sort of perfection is the key
to digging our way out. --Kevin Miller
In the Bible Perfection is ascribed to:
Noah -Genesis 6:8-9
Jacob -Numbers 23:21 (a liar)
David -1 Kings 11:4; 1 Kings 11:6 (a murderer)
Asa -1 Kings 15:14
Job -Job 1:1
Zacharias and Elizabeth -Luke 1:6
Nathanael -John 1:47
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