Perfection and Procrastination
by Rhett Pritchett
“All human work is imperfect, because human nature is; and this intrinsic imperfection of human affairs cannot be overcome by procrastination.”- Arnold Toynbee
I came across this quote as I was reading some of John Piper’s thoughts on productivity. This quote struck me in a powerful way because this is something I struggle with. When it comes to writing (this blog for instance), speaking, teaching, or leading a training, I can put so much pressure on myself and the thing I am working on that I get stuck. Getting stuck then leads to procrastination, because maybe if I wait a little bit longer, I’ll have some idea or inspiration that will make it “perfect”. This illusion that perfection is attainable is quite the burden, it is a vicious cycle of pressure and procrastination. The self-imposed pressure can drain the joy from working with and for God for the good of others. The self-imposed standard of perfection leads to discouragement and a gradual taking the eyes of the heart off the gospel and its implications for our work. By that I mean that I lose sight of the truth that God in His kindness and mercy works through the imperfect offerings of His children, who themselves are always “in-process” as they are being conformed to the image of Jesus. This process of transformation will not be brought to completion until Jesus returns and in the “twinkling of an eye” (1 Cor. 15:52) our mortal bodies put on immortality, when our struggle with sin is over and we then worship the Father and Son and reign with them as fully-restored image bearers in a New Heavens and New Earth forever. So, in the meantime, our Father is working through imperfect people and their imperfect offerings.
This is not an excuse to do a bad job, that’s really not the problem. I would not be struggling with trying to do something perfectly if I wanted to do a bad job. Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 10:31, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” This definitely means that we should seek to live all of life in way that glorifies God. My issue is that I let the illusion of perfection keep me from moving forward. This is why we never lose our need for the gospel. The gospel that saved me and brought me into relationship with Jesus is the same gospel by which I’m being transformed into His image.
In these moments, the gospel is what will bring freedom. Jesus promised deep rest for those who come to Him (Mt. 11:28). The gospel tells me that because of what Jesus has accomplished in His life, death, and resurrection that I am reconciled to the Father and now live as a forgiven, righteous child of God. The gospel tells me that by grace and through faith I’ve been united to Jesus, like a branch that derives its entire life and existence from the life-giving vine (Jn. 15:4-5). He promises all His disciples that as we abide in Him, we will bear much fruit (Jn. 15:5). These are life changing truths. Our righteous standing before God is a free gift, based solely on the work of Jesus. Our day to day lives bear fruit as we live in union with Him.
Paul encouraged the Philippian church by reminding them, “I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Phil. 1:6) This is what I need to hear and what you need to hear if your expectation of perfection leads you to procrastination. We can live confident in our Father’s love, secure in our identity in Christ, as we are “in-process” in our transformation into His image. The reality that we are “in process” means that all of our offerings are incomplete and imperfect in some way, yet our Father still uses them and blesses others through them as His Kingdom continues to grow. I can do my best by faith in Him, in reliance on the Spirit and rest by trusting Him to work through it. I pray that He uses this imperfect blog to encourage you in the gospel.