When Perfect Prevents Purpose

I don’t think I’m the only person who has struggled with perfectionism. In fact, I believe it’s something that many of us wrestle with. Often, we know where we want to go, but we don’t give ourselves the grace or the time it takes to get there. We compare our beginning to someone else’s finished project and forget that everything that is sustained is built over time. Everything that we see didn’t just happen overnight. God is the only one who can do the impossible overnight. For the rest of us, we must grow through the process.

For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice…” Zechariah 4:10

We often overlook what God is doing because we are waiting for something bigger, but God is faithful in the small things, too.

At one point in my seminary, one of our assignments was to write our personal Gospel story, and perfectionism stood out in ways I hadn’t fully seen before. It really was an “ah-hah” moment because I knew that it had been a part of my personality, but I hadn’t realized how much the enemy had been using it to keep me stagnant. He wanted to convince me that if it wasn’t perfect, don’t do it at all.

But God never asked us to be perfect; He just asked us to be willing.

For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him. 2Chronicles 16:9

He is looking for willing hearts. He knows that we will fall short and we won’t get it right all the time, but that’s when He steps in to make it perfect in his sight. Not perfect in man’s sight, but God’s.

I remember having a conversation with someone and feeling like I wanted to say something, but I just didn’t know how to say it. And I literally said a prayer in my head to God, “I don’t know, Lord, this might not come out right.” But I felt the nudge of the Holy Spirit telling me to speak. And I did. And it was exactly what they needed to hear.

Sometimes perfectionism disguises itself as preparation, but if it keeps us from stepping into what God has called us to do, it is no longer wisdom; it is holding us back.

A lot of times, we try to fix up things and change things about ourselves in a way that we think is better, but perfection is not important to God when we aren’t obedient. He works through willing hearts, not perfect people.

If we wait until we have it all together, then we might not ever do it. Like the old saying goes, “the richest place on earth is the graveyard” because it is filled with the most dreams never pursued.

Somehow, we live in a world where we want to take on the identity or life of someone else, when God has given us all specific gifts, dreams, talents, and promises. He made us different and wants us to use these gifts and talents to do the things he has created us to do. Not because he knows it will be perfect, but because it will bring him glory. He can do much more through a surrendered heart than through someone striving for perfection.

This is something God really convicted me in over this last season. In His grace, God has shown me how He has positioned me in ways to use my gifts and not hold back. As He continues to gently lead me, I have seen doors open that I never felt qualified for. What I thought was simple and no big deal, God showed me how He could take my little and turn it into a lot! Don’t reject small beginnings because they don’t seem impressive. God wants to walk with you through the entire process, not just the final product.

It’s similar to a kid learning to ride a bike; you have to just go. You may wobble, you may scrape your knee, or you may be afraid. But none of it should stop you from starting.

In my Bible Study group this week, we focused on Psalms 37.

The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; he takes pleasure in his way. Though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand. Psalm 37:23-24

The Lord rejoices when we do the things He has called us to do. He knows that we sometimes don’t get it right, but He promised to hold onto us.

When we are not doing what we are called to do, someone else is also not doing what they are called to do. The body of Christ works together. All parts must be walking purposefully in order for it to function as God intended.

So don’t wait for perfection. Move forward because you know God is with you! Walk in obedience and trust him with the outcome!

Obedience brings a reward that outlasts anything perfectionism could ever promise because God is not looking for flawless people; He is looking for faithful ones.

The goal was never to do it perfectly. The goal was to surrender completely.

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