Wednesday, 22 May, 2002

From "Amazing Grace by Kathleen Norris. In this book she takes many of the words and images of the faith and attempts to put some reality and life to them.



PERFECTION

Perfectionism is one of the scariest words I know. It is a marked characteristic of contemporary American culture, a serious psychological affliction that makes people too timid to take necessary risks and causes them to suffer when, although they've done the best they can, their efforts fall short of some imaginary, and usually unattainable, standard. Internally, it functions as a form of myopia, a preoccupation with self-image that can stunt emotional growth.

To be perfect in the sense that Jesus means it (If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me. Matthew 19:21), is to make room for growth, for the changes that bring us to maturity, to ripeness. To mature is to lose adolescent self-consciousness so as to be able to make a gift of oneself, as a parent, as teacher, friend, spouse.



Rather than be consumed by a need to do everything "right," we are simply reminded that we are called to grow into the fullness of our calling...our life. In some ways, as we are called to be the beloved children of God, "being perfect" is the journey we enter in which that love unfolds from day to day...changing us...recreating us...making us more fully who we are in God's eyes. There is wonderful freedom within such a view of perfection. Rather than having to "fall in line" or "color within the lines," God bids us to be take who we are and bring that to the table of life and share ourselves so that our gifts may be added to the wonderful collection of the gathering of saints who are claimed by God.



Connection: Try to be in touch with the many times during the day that you step into a box and let the box rule you and all you do. Often it will not be easy to see. Often the box can rule us and drive us and then...even inhibit us from being who we are with others. Stop. Look. Listen.



Lord God you promise to nurture our faith in you so that in each day we may stand before others as a gift to the world and also ready to receive the gifts of others as we come together in community. We ask that you will teach us the ways of your blessed reign. Amen