Currently Under Construction – Why progress is better than perfection
I looked at the words on the page
Too many mistakes
Not enough description
Stilted. Bland. Boring. Writing.
Of course, the story I was writing, was currently under construction
But I couldn’t allow myself to make a mistake
I couldn’t let the words go through the process of being formed
It had to be perfection
Or nothing
Every. Single. Line.
I was so attached to the outcome, rather than the progress of the story
That my writing became ridged and controlled
CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION
I began to wonder the same thing about my faith
Do I criticise my lack of progress in certain areas I struggle with?
Beating myself up every time I feel like I’ve failed?
Perfectionism becoming the driving force in everything I did?
Making my Christian walk become ridged and controlled
Instead of free falling into the total abandoned adventure, of God’s grace and mercy?
Like my writing, had my faith become more about the outcome rather than the process?
We forget that Jesus sees everyone as, ‘currently under construction’
When Jesus met with people He didn’t focus on the end result
He knew they were all flawed people in need of a Saviour
He helped them through the process of a relationship first
Walking with them until they became a better story
A messy, complicated journey, which led them into a deeper understanding of who God is
The story of someone’s progress is much more powerful and emotional
Than a story about perfection
Progress is what Jesus is looking for in each person, not perfection
‘We need to stop looking at one colour, when God wants us to see the whole kaleidoscope’ – Barbara Turner Vesselago
And let’s not fall into the trap of hearing someone’s testimony
Of how they went from drug addict – to lead pastor
Disqualifying us into feeling like our testimony of saying ‘YES’ to the Salvation Jesus offered
Is not so exciting and adventurous
Sure, your story may not look nothing like their ‘wiz-bang – woop woop’ testimony of their best-seller life book
But it is a miracle all the same
And it’s YOUR story, no one else’s
We are all currently under construction
Because Jesus loves progress, better than perfection
[Tweet “When loving people is a strategy, it isn’t love anymore – Bob Goff “]
We need to let ourselves freefall into the love and grace of Jesus
And stop trying to make it all about the end result
Enjoying the progress and process of your story as you write in the pages of your life each day
Chapter by glorious chapter
When I keep writing, regardless on whether the piece is a brilliant stroke of pure genius
Or it sucked
I keep going
Because I won’t gain any progress, if I don’t embrace the process
In writing techniques, you are told to ‘show’ rather than ‘tell’ your story
So, ‘SHOW’ your story
Rather than ‘TELLING’ it
People will be drawn to your transparency and openness
More than getting it right all the time
‘Currently under construction’ should be a permanent sign on your forehead
A work in progress – not perfection
Because when you build your life story on a genuine faith in Jesus
You can’t go wrong when you make His Word the foundational rock
And Chief Cornerstone of your life!
=)
Wendy xo
Currently under construction – Why progress is better than perfection
M&D
August 10, 2017BRILLIANT.