Into the Fire

The nature of perfection exists only in God. So where does that urge, the compulsion, the desire, the obsession to be perfect originate? Well . . . duh. In regard to loving our enemies or technically those who have yet to know Jesus Christ personally—keep in mind you’re either for Him or against Him according to His definition, not ours—be they “pagans” or “Gentiles” in the faith sense, we are to “be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). In other words, love the dang people anyway—you don’t have to like them, approve of them, or even think they’re worth a second look or thought: love ‘em anyway. Because of God’s perfect love for you, because God allowed Jesus’ death on the cross to cover your sins, and because Jesus rose again to cover ALL sin, because if you accept that sacrifice, the Holy Spirit resides within you and will not give up on you, because of ALL that God has allowed in you and never withheld his love from you . . . that’s how you are to BE perfect in Him. Love people. Because it’s in you to do it through the Holy Spirit. No way can it be done without Him. You might paraphrase it by saying, “Let His perfection reign in you and be expressed through love.”

Tall order. A God-size order. One that can only be done in obedience and complete submission to Him.

So, in relation to writing, we have a number of authors/writers who often become stymied by their desire to write perfectly. As if . . . Seriously. Who is really egotistical enough to even attempt writing perfection? Slathering drivel is not the alternative. How about “good”? How about “decent”—in the sense of “well done”? How about “very good”? Or “excellent”? Or “enticing”? Or “unique”? Or “unusual”? Or “clever”? Or “humorous”? Or “meaningful”? Or “action-packed”? Or “thrilling”? Or “touching”? Or “melancholy”? Or “daring”?

If you’re writing to create perfection, you must be writing to please man. I mean, think about it. Yes, it is man—or woman—who sits at the desks of agencies and publishing houses. Do you really think you receive their favor because of your stirring words or stories? Do you really believe without God’s favor, timing, and grace that you would have a book in print? Are we so arrogant to think that because God has given us some talent, we can “perform” the task and receive the affirmation of our skills without Him? I mean, let’s give credit where credit is due and quit assuming that we’ve worked hard enough and put in the just right words and taken such exceptional care to observe all the writing techniques which finally have made us publishable and near, well, perfect.

No. Sorry, but, no. For everyone whose writing we admire and wish we could emulate, there is someone else who no doubt detests their work. Now depending on who you are in the publishing arena, your opinion might pack a pretty powerful punch in the influence department, but, really, would you be where you are if it wasn’t for God’s positioning and showing you His favor?

This is not to say you are not to work hard and write your best. But if you even for a moment think you’re going to turn out perfection, you’ve forgotten the soiled creation. A perfect garden, a perfect romance, a perfect union—enter the lust for attaining another kind of perfection: to be like God. The pride in thinking it was attainable. Perfection and sin do not coexist. Not in reality, not in writing.

Take a gut check of your ego. Here I am spouting off my “profound” opinions. I couldn’t have realized this one—or at least not fleshed it out so it made sense to me—without the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit. All these writers wanting their work to be perfect, wallowing in the quagmires of extreme self-doubt . . . something just didn’t gel for me. What is this about? It’s about the fear of man—the fear of being judged “inferior” in spite of the success.

If we write in obedience to Christ, is God going to thumb His nose at our labors? Highly doubtful. He loves our work—if and when it’s done in obedience to Him. Now if that’s not enough for you, there might be a problem . . .

God, you alone are perfection. Outside of you, it does not exist. I cannot attain it in and of myself. I am thankful for whatever you can do with me, in me, through me. Please, Lord, make me usable for your glory. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

*Please continue to pray for Kristy Dykes.*