Reflection on Perfection
A Fight You Can’t Win
Like many men, I’ve struggled with perfectionism most of my life. It may have come from my dad always pointing out what I missed when fixing something, mowing the lawn, or washing the car. It may have been American culture telling me to keep striving, keep learning, keep earning, move your way up and you can succeed!! Maybe its both of these plus other factors I’m not aware of. Maybe its some other reason for you, like poverty or abuse. Maybe you grew up as a child of an alcoholic with constant pressure to not mess up. Maybe its just the way we’re wired, to pursue excellence in all we do. Excellence, however, is freeing, but perfectionism puts us in a prison. We can’t win.
The one Bible verse that has always bothered me was Matthew 5:48, “Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” How can I be perfect? Isn’t the point of Scripture that we’re broken and can’t be perfect on our own? Its a confusing verse.
I read an article lately that helped put the right perspective on this word “perfect”. First of all, remember we read an English translation of ancient Greek, Aramaic and Hebrew manuscripts. That means the words we read are conveying the closest meaning of the original in our language. Shades of definitions of words change throughout the generations, which is why we have so many “updated” translations. It is also why pastors often tell you the original Greek words and their meanings.
So, what is the original Greek word we see in this verse translated as “perfect”? The Greek word used is “teleios” which carries the meaning of “complete or mature, fit for a task”. An athlete in training is perfected in practicing all week, fit for the game. Perfect? Never, really. Fit and ready to play? Absolutely! So, we could insert that definition in the verse and read it as: “Therefore, you are to be complete (mature, fit for the task) as your heavenly Father is complete”.
What a relief! I don’t have to be perfect. I only need to work toward maturity and completeness, being fit for the task. That is a realistic goal I can work toward. It frees me to do my best with the resources I have available at the time. That part is actually fun to explore! I admit, I didn’t really like practicing football all week, but I sure loved playing on the weekend! I can ditch perfectionism, which only paralyzes me, and pursue excellence in service of my Savior. I am free to mature in my faith.
That’s worth pursuing! That’s biblical manhood!
That’s a win!
