Striving for Perfection

I've been watching the Olympics. I love the Olympics. I am amazed by the preparation of the athletes. How many hours of practice and competition have they endured to reach the Olympics? The commitment and dedication the athletes have to their sport is overwhelming. What drive! What desire they have to be the best! 

Perfection. That's what they all strive for. A perfect score from the judge is their goal. To do their very best and perform perfectly. What a heavy burden they carry! And what happens if they come up short to their visualization and imaging? One athlete has revealed to the world that striving for perfection can be too much to carry. All the expectations of the world rested heavy on Simone Biles' shoulders.

Many of us strive for perfection in our own lives. Everything must be perfect. The meal. The car. The decorating. The garage. The work we do. Even the playing must be perfect. But what does the Bible say about being perfect?

"We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check," (James 3:2 NIV).

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows," (James 1:17 NIV).

Only God is perfect. We can achieve perfection on tasks or even one single competition but rarely can we perform to the level of total perfection. Never does man act with perfection throughout his life because we are human. Humans make mistakes. That's why God sent His Son - to wipe away our sins and carry them to the cross. Jesus was perfect. Not me. I'm a sinner who was saved by God's grace. Thank you, Jesus.