Steve Gatena.
For years, I chased it, convinced it was the key to success.
It is formally defined as “the state of being free from all flaws or defects.” But I think a better definition is closer to “a prison with gold-plated bars.” Or “a straitjacket dressed up as ambition.”
It might look noble from a distance, but up close, it’s a parasite that feeds on your joy, stealing your peace under the guise of achievement.
I’m talking about “perfection.”
Why chase something that nature itself rejects?
Walk through any forest and observe.
Each tree is unique, bearing its own unique blemishes. But as you pass, you’d never look at the trees and say, “This is nice and all, but where are the perfect ones?”
That’s because there’s no such thing as a perfect tree. Or a perfect bush. Or a perfect rock.
If the world God designed doesn’t demand perfection to thrive, why do we?
Understanding true perfection
Matthew 5:48, one of the most misunderstood verses in the Bible, urges us to “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
But in the original Greek, “perfect” doesn’t mean “without flaws.” It speaks of completeness, maturity, and wholeness—an integrated integrity.
God calls us not to the impossible standard of flawlessness but to authentic integrity: to be consistently genuine, inside and out.
True perfection isn’t rigid adherence to rules but wholehearted living that mirrors God’s character.
Excellence over perfection
Here’s where excellence shines distinctly.
Excellence isn’t flawlessness; it’s aiming to exceed expectations, especially your own.
As Colossians 3:23 says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”
It means showing up fully and giving 100% plus a little extra.
You might still stumble, make mistakes, or face setbacks, but these don’t diminish excellence. Instead, they enrich it, highlighting growth and determination.
Imagine aiming for level 5 and pushing yourself to level 7. Even with imperfections, you’ve surpassed expectations; that’s excellence in action.
It’s not about the absence of flaws but about rising above them and surpassing what you once believed possible.
Embrace the gold in your cracks.
There’s a beautiful art called kintsugi, a Japanese tradition that repairs broken pottery with gold, not to conceal but to accentuate the cracks, celebrating the beauty within imperfections.
Similarly, your story, filled with scars, stumbles, and slow climbs, matters profoundly. These moments are precisely where God’s grace shines brightest.
Your mistakes don’t disqualify you; they define you, shaping your journey towards completeness.
2 Corinthians 12:9 emphasizes this truth: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
You’re beautifully imperfect.
You were never meant to chase the elusive shadow of perfection.
Instead, embrace your journey:
filled with scars turned to gold,
failures turned to lessons,
and challenges turned to victories.
So, from now on, live boldly, fully aware of your humanity, yet driven by divine purpose.
Excellence is your calling, so step into it courageously and discover the profound freedom of exceeding your own expectations.
