“But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.’ Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me.”
2 Corinthians 12:9 HCSB
“Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us,”
Hebrews 12:1 HCSB
Most of us have heard the phrase “progress over perfection”. Yet many of us strive for perfection, leaving us overwhelmed, disappointed, and burned out.
The truth is that no one except Jesus is perfect on this side of heaven.
My pool instructor, Mindy, says, “Don’t worry about right or left. It’s the movement that matters.”
Whether we’re trying to learn a new task or improve a skill, it’s important to make incremental changes and build them up over time.
There are times when striving for perfection is essential, like a doctor performing surgery. Doctors spend many years in the classroom, adding to their skills and knowledge base, before being allowed to operate.
We go through driver’s training and practice for hours before we are licensed to drive on our own. And going the right way on a one way street is crucial.
But when perfection is not required, why do we expect so much from ourselves or those around us? By shifting our expectations to continual progress, we allow for mistakes without shame. We can celebrate the improvements which encourage us to keep going. In Philippians 3:12-14, Paul writes, “Not that I have already reached the goal or am already fully mature, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus. Brothers, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus.”
When we prioritize progress over perfection, we’re reminded of God’s grace, which allows us to acknowledge our imperfections and keep moving forward. We are loved and accepted, flaws and all.
So let’s set up manageable mini goals that keep us motivated and moving. Begin with the first step:
Reduce one expense.
Try a new recipe.
Take an extra walk around the block.
Once we start moving, we’ll see progress and improvement.
PRAYER: Dear Lord, thank You for Your loving grace. We long to do our work well to honor You. Yet we easily become caught up in perfection, resulting in the fear of failure and discouragement. Lord, please help us to do the best we can right now and to realize we can improve with time and practice. Please help us to accept where we are and remember how far we have already come. In Christ’s name, Amen.
Journal: In what areas are you striving for perfection instead of progress? How can you set achievable steps to move forward in grace?
Porch Chair Prayers 