Thoughts for Life: What's the Difference Between Excellence and Perfection?

A reader asks Jill Savage the following question:

"I’ve read your book No More Perfect Moms. It has been absolutely life-changing for me as I have learned to love my real life.

I have one question, though: What’s the difference between excellence and perfection? I’m trying to figure that out as I try to move away from expecting perfection, but still having an understanding of excellence.'

This is a great question that deserves to be understood! Some short answers are:

Excellence is something done well.

Perfection is something done without fault.

Excellence is attainable.

Perfection is unattainable.

Excellence is positive.

Perfection is negative.

Excellence gives a sense of satisfaction.

Perfection is never satisfied.

Excellence is freeing.

Perfection is binding.

Excellence allows for failure.

Perfection punishes failure.

Excellence is motivated by confidence.

Perfection is motivated by fear.

Excellence comes from God.

Perfection comes from the world.

{added emphasis]

What does this look like in a mom’s world?

Here’s an example: A mom is supposed to provide snacks for her son’s baseball team. Her desire is to make something homemade.

However, she’s had two sick children, a husband who’s been putting in overtime, and her parents who live nearby have needed more help than usual.

Baking is just not something that can be realistically accomplished this time.

In freedom, she picks up cupcakes at the bakery of her grocery store. This is an excellent choice based upon her limitations and what is going on in her life.

There’s no sense of failure. She accomplished what she needed to accomplish in the best way for her family.

Excellence says there are many ways to accomplish something. It allows for context.

Perfection says there is only one way to accomplish something. There is no context or considerations made.

Perfection steals our joy and results in hopelessness. It sets us up for failure.

If we expect perfection from ourselves we will be in perpetual disappointment.

If we expect perfection from others, we will be hyper-critical.

Excellence motivates us to do well within the reality of our temperament, our talents, and our circumstances.

We 'hit the mark' in context of all those things. When we expect excellence from ourselves we work toward a goal with cushioned with grace.

When we expect excellence from others, we set goals and encourage under the umbrella of grace, that allows for humanity–mistakes and all.

We are motivated to excellence out of our relationship with a loving, grace-filled God who is perfecting–or improving us–everyday.

We are encouraged in Colossians 3:23 with these words,“ Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.”

Excellence happens when we give our best to God, knowing that it can’t be perfect because perfection can’t happen here on earth.

Excellence is empowering. Perfection is rejecting.

I want to be an empowering wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend. That’s why resisting perfection is so important.

There are no perfect moms, [dads], just [men &] women doing the best job they can do in the circumstances of their real life.

What about you? How have you settled the disparity between excellence and perfection in your heart?

The post Q & A Day: What’s the Difference Between Excellence and Perfection? appeared first on Jill Savage.Posted: 10 Jul 2013 04:00 AM PDT

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Perfection and excellence!

Let’s pray: Father, help us see when we're expecting perfection, not settling for what is excellent for us in our daily circumstances. Re-program our thinking to be more like Yours through the reading of Your Word. Your wisdom and understanding is what we'll need in our judgments of what we need to do, as well as in what others do. I pray this in Jesus' name, Amen.

Today’s Bible verse: Daniel 5:14b "That light and understanding and excellent wisdom is found in thee."

Today’s quote: Mark Evens - Like a computer, the output of your brain is determined by what you program into it. Is your mind filled with the thinking of the world, or with the thinking of God? A Christian who is walking in the power of the Holy Spirit and thinking with a renewed mind is a great danger to the kingdom of Satan.

Our thought today: We'll find fulfillment in surrendering to God. Focus on Him and find His purpose for you.

Tomorrow’s post: Catherine Booth William Haslam

A popular post: The Notion of Divine Control Jesus is laying down rules of conduct for those who have His Spirit.