Perfection

The 119th Psalm, a “super-acrostic” of the Hebrew alphabet, is the longest Psalm with the most verses. Today the first half of the 96th verse of that Psalm caught my eye. It reads: “To all perfection I see a limit...”
I think of how often we inject the call for perfection into our conversation without any real scrutiny of what we are asking for. Women speak of finding the perfect dress. Brides dream of having the perfect wedding. Men refer to the perfect car. Homebuyers seek the perfect house. Weather forecasters speak of perfect weather. I think the Psalmist was helpful in pointing to the limitation of our own pursuits of perfection. Our best efforts will always require that we yield to certain limits. The most detailed planning will not prevent the unexpected. The most exhausting preparation at some point has to give way to the necessity of doing what the planning prepared for…and all its less than perfect outcomes, however few or many may result. But that brings us back to the 119th Psalm. The whole psalm is essentially focused upon the fact that God gives us the best guidance and the best insight and the best direction for our lives. His word stands the tests of time and practice. His truth endures forever. His word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path.
Perfection has always been a worthy aim…if we recognize our human limitations. At the same time…our imperfection is countered by our hope and trust in one whose love and mercy have made a way for our life to be full and abundant in Jesus Christ. In him, perfection abounds. In him, we discover the perfection of God and God’s deliverance from sin as we place our faith and trust in Him…the one who came to save us.
As the apostle Paul wrote, “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” We have our limits…and “the wage of sin is death”. As long as we pursue our own way…we flounder and the consequences are the outcomes of pride and intentional rejection of God’s way.
Yet God’s invitation is to repent of sin…to repent of the idolatry that puts something or someone or even our self in the place of God. It is a willingness to acknowledge our sin and to seek our Savior, Jesus Christ.
A story is told that Amish women in making their beautiful and often highly detailed quilts intentionally miss a stitch, to remind themselves that “nothing is perfect” apart from the perfection of God. I think the Psalmist had the same idea. The wonderful good news is that in the provision of God, we can put our trust and faith in Jesus Christ and know the abundant life that comes from sharing in His perfection.