Relentless Pursuit of Perfection

In our world, by definition, to be "perfect" means being the best possible version of something. It’s literally what the Olympics are all about. But is that what Jesus means?

In 1989, when Toyota launched the new Lexus brand, they knew they had to compete with giants like Mercedes and BMW.

No longer could they get by on being economical; they had to be flawless. Which meant redefining Japanese auto making as a whole.

They did it spectacularly, with a bold and powerful tagline: The Relentless Pursuit of Perfection.

Their brilliant branding campaign quickly elevated Lexus to the top of the luxury car market.

We’re seeing a similar pursuit today as the world’s greatest athletes gather in Milan. These Olympians have invested millions of combined hours toning and perfecting their crafts, all for a chance to be the best in the world.

​All but a few will go home empty handed. Their own excellence erased by a mere 1/100th of a second.

During the 1996 Olympic Games, Nike ran their famous ad that stated, “You don’t win silver. You lose gold.”
 
That certainly highlights a cynical truth about our culture these days. We’ve made perfection a high-stakes, unforgiving game. No longer are we to be our best; we’re told to be the best. 

As Edwin Bliss notes, while excellence is healthy, the pursuit of perfection is "neurotic and a terrible waste of time."
 
Case in point, a perfectionist who walks into a bar and immediately leaves because the bar wasn’t high enough.
 
What was great for Lexus, often paralyzes humans with anxiety and stops us from actually living honestly and authentically. And when we bring this performance trap into our faith, we can lose the heart of the Gospel. Except, this is what Jesus had to say:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven, for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. 
               ​                  ​                  ​                  ​                  ​                    Matthew 5:43-48

As we enter the season of Lent, many of us will spend the next 40 days fasting from something we love or need to change. This is a powerful spiritual discipline for everyone to practice—unless, of course, you’re a perfectionist.
 
Because in Lent, failure isn’t just inevitable, it’s the point. Lent is a season to learn from our mistakes. It is that soft and painful reminder that we grow in God’s grace through our imperfections.
 
And yet, it sound like a total set-up when Jesus tells us to be perfect as God is perfect. I mean, how well are we loving and praying for our enemies these days? Are we actually giving to everyone who begs? Or turning the other cheek? I suspect your answer is similar to my own: No. 
 
I think we see it this way because the problem lies in our perception. We see the road to perfection is arduous. It entails a lot of messing up in order to get better. And we do like to mess up. It exposes our our vulnerability we we often view as a weakness. 

​But Jesus sees our vulnerability as a strength. Which might be why it rubs us like this. I mean, it is certainly not the "American Way" where we have to be the best, gold medal winners at everything.

In our world, by definition, to be "perfect" means being the best possible version of something. It’s literally what the Olympics are all about. But is that what Jesus means?
 
I believe Kobe Bryant is the greatest basketball player of all time, and truly one who must be considered the Greatest (Athlete) Of All Time. He constantly refined his game, pursing excellence in his training, discipline, and mentality. And he proved it on the court.

But if I am being honest, I know Kobe was just outdoing what Michael Jordan had already perfected. LeBron did it to Kobe; SGA is doing it to LeBron. It’s truly a relentless pursuit.

But, by definition, there can only be one at the top. Jesus reminds us who the real GOAT is.  “Be perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect.”
 
Thomas Merton once said, “People may spend their whole lives climbing the ladder of success only to find, once they reach the top, that the ladder is leaning against the wrong wall.”

While we spend our lives climbing upward, we often forget that it is God who comes down to us. 
 
In my own relentless pursuit, I try to curate the perfect life—to be the flawless parent, the dutiful child, the ideal spouse. Even at my best, I haven’t mastered any of it. And the tragedy isn't just that I don’t succeed; it’s that I beat myself up for failing.
 
Self-reproach is a thief—it pulls my eyes off of God’s grace, which is the perfection of love itself. As Andrea Brandt writes, “If you expect always to succeed, life will always disappoint you.”
 
Like I said, we live in a culture where being perfect isn’t good enough anymore. And that lie is exhausting. After years of buying into the hype my daughter Fiona has finally admitted that “Outside of Harry Stiles, perfection isn’t real.”   
 
So let me ask you, what does perfection look like? A perfect score? A high-status career? Being the "GOAT" of your industry?
 
Jesus boils it down to one word: love. Not the Hallmark kind. But God’s radical, unconditional love for us. And I believe we’re given God’s love with the expectation of perfecting it in all the ways we give it away.
 
Our theme this year is being a community knitted together by God’s love. It’s not our love, but God’s love. Which tells me that it’s not our perfection we need to pursue. It’s God’s perfection that moves through us.

In that sacred space between our struggle and success we find God at work, perfecting us not from our imperfections, but through them.
 
Which brings me to another commercial that’s airing during the Olympics right now. It’s a series of vignettes featuring people who feel crushed by the standards of a "perfect" society.
 
 A young boy in boxing gloves, watching his father train his older brother, feeling the pressure to “be an alpha.”
 
An older man vying for a job against a room of twenty-somethings, desperate to “be relevant.”
 
A teenager smashing his phone against a mirror, exhausted by the struggle to “be enough.”
 
After a few more like these, the screen reveals this simple truth: “Being human shouldn’t be this hard.”
 
Then comes the invitation: “What if Jesus shows us a new way?” (Watch commercial here)
 
I love this, because it invites us to take another look at the One who reveals the true heart of God. If we want to understand what it means to be "perfect," all we need to do is look to Jesus—the One who loves, heals, and redeems without condition.
 
In Christ, God became one of us to show us a different way. A way back to God’s heart where perfect love awaits. This is kind of love you don’t need a gold metal to earn. You don’t even need to qualify. Just show up.
 
To be perfect as your heavenly father is perfect isn’t about performance. It’s about a willingness to be present in this moment; letting go and trusting God’s perfect lead.
 
You’ve heard me say, Jesus’ entire ministry was designed to reorient our vision, because when we see differently, we act differently.

And how does God want us to act? The prophet Micah states  “What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).
 
In other words, to live in perfect harmony with God and one another, means paying attention to those who are vulnerable and using your power to protect them.

It means choosing fairness over favoritism, and truth over convenience.
 
It means practicing kindness—leaving room in our lives for generosity, forgiveness, and second chances.
 
It means walking through our communities rooted in love; trusting that faith isn’t proven by what we offer God, but by how faithfully we love God and one another along the way.

This Way that Jesus offers is a way that moves perfectly in sync with God. And here's where I find hope and grace for myself.

“God never called any perfect people because there aren’t any perfect people. God only ever calls flawed, wounded, limited, scared, and imperfect people because that’s the only kind there are. So, don’t be discouraged, you’re actually a pretty good company.” (Mabry)
 
Jesus calls us to be a visible community of grace. This doesn’t require perfection; but a willingness to be present where God needs you the most.
 
My challenge to you this week is this: Be present. Be available. Be God’s love in the flesh. Notice what’s broken and choose to help mend it. Use your voice and power, however small, to stand up for the weak. Tell the truth.
 
Treat strangers like neighbors. Learn names. Make eye contact. Offer dignity. Forgive more than feels reasonable. Let love get specific. Tangible. Real. This is how we perfect presence.
 
Faith isn’t about performance or looking spiritual--it’s about being awake to the holy that’s already unfolding around you. As the world invites you into a relentless pursuit that will only leave you exhausted,
 
Jesus invites you to pursuit another way. A way grounded in love. The kind of perfect love where everyone wins gold. 
 
  
Work Cited
Adapted from a sermon I’mperfect on February 23, 2020.
Bartlett, David L. and Barbara Brown Taylor, eds. Feasting on the Word, Year A Vol. 1. (Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2010) pp. 38-385.
Brandt, Andrea. The Dangers of Perfectionism.  April 1, 2019 (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/mindful-anger/201904/the-dangers-perfectionism?amp). Accessed on February 21, 2020.
Mabry, John. Growing into God: a Beginners Guide to Mysticism. (Wheaton, IL: Quest 2012) p. 120.