Perfection
Psalms 138:8 The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.
I like watching a true craftsman at work. There’s this guy on public television that takes an old house in ill repair and transforms it, doesn’t just restore it, into something much better than before. To watch him work is like ‘poetry in motion’. There is a definite rhythm and sense that very little time is occupied with deciding what and how to do something. He has this confidence with every motion that reflects a definite vision of where each step is being taken as part of a completed project. Although he has all these cool gadgets, gizmos, and widgets for accomplishing some of the most challenging tasks with great precision, there is often a specific forming that requires improvisation- coming up with a way to use whatever is available to complete his purpose. And, completing his projects is something that happens every single episode and with every challenge he is given, there is no doubt that by the credits at the end there will be this incredible work of perfection- no awkward misfit or blotched finishes.
It really is amazing and inspiring to observe the craftsman, and the ease with which he performs would almost make one believe that it could be done by anyone. Yet, there are things that will be accomplished by the experienced master that will never have the slightest hope in the inexperienced hands of the wannabe. Though he would imply that he is instructing somehow, there is, in reality, just an observance taking place of a skilled perfectionist, doing what only he can do. While he may be an excellent teacher, when it comes to actually bringing perfection to the project, it’s much better to just get out of his way, and let him do his thing.
Every day is a work of art. It’s a stroke and a chapter, a planing and a forming. Though it might only look like a hopeless block of would on the bench, there is a master Craftsman that sees exactly what He needs in that block. Sometimes there may be blemishes in the materials He is given, but He always sees past the imperfections and knows exactly how to make whatever would appear useless into something that is both beautiful and functional. As long as He’s given permission to ‘touch’, there will always be progress made towards the fulfilled and completed projects of His heart’s vision. Wherever He is worshiped, His methods for perfection are being applied to the raw material of our hearts and He is using whatever He’s given to craft the most beautiful and completed projects of perfection. While we might like to think that ‘it looks easy, even a cave man could do it’, in reality, the work He does should never be attempted by wannabes anywhere, and when something obviously needs attention, it is most necessary to just get out of His way and let Him improvise, scrape and drill. There will be a completed work in the end and all the credits will include Him as the Master in every area- directing, writing, operating, engineering, etc.
Got some concerns? Today’s a great day for some perfection.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
