Perfectionism is a great procrastinator. It tells me that I have to have everything figured out before I can start something or else I will fail. It is one of Robin Hood’s band of thieves, taking the God-breathed inspiration born in the fertile ground of my spirit and giving it over to the impoverished soil of my mind to plant with the false promise of a rich harvest. While my mind digs through the hard, dry matter of untilled earth, the warmth of my once infused heart ponders the now cold and barren terrain robbed of the gift from the Life-giver Himself. Oh, what a desperado this perfectionism in the guise of promise.
To the grown-up “Grami” in me it can seem to be wisdom that plans and purposes every act of the program before taking one step out into the light of day. She co-operates unwittingly with the cloaked bandit who comes to kill Spirit-breathed purpose, who steals away the hours, days, weeks, months, and years with the false hope of well laid plans, and who destroys creative inspiration with rigid constraints of performance. What has begun in the spirit she relegates to the keeping of the flesh and pines away for a taste of the longed for fruit.
The little “Girl” voice of faith and freedom is often drowned out by the reprimands of the older, wiser one whose fear of failure and experience of shame have long since conspired with the Kingdom marauder who preys along the wandering path. The younger child within yielding to the world-worn one when really the little child should lead them. She alone remembers the freshness of His breath on her face, the warmth of His love on her heart, and the joy of His favor undeserved and unearned. She alone, this little “Girl” deep inside, resides in the living presence of sun (Son) and water (Spirit) that beacons life to blossom from seed even out of the hidden depths of unseen plan, purpose, or program. The little feet glide easily on the tops of her Daddy’s while never even stubbing a toe as He dances her through the garden field where He has already planned and prepared to perform His good on her behalf and for His glory. This is the path of joy and this is the path of abundance. His presence provides the true way and brings to birth the fruitful, promised life from the seeds of Spirit-inspiration. He alone tends, protects, and nurtures to maturity the true identity of the fruit within which produces without grandiose performance, but rather with abiding, remaining, dwelling in His presence with simplicity of faith in truth of Who He is as I AM and giver of life. And she, this little girl of faith and freedom, enjoys the first fruits of the harvest promise and they are good!
“Are you so foolish and so senseless and so silly? Having begun [your new life spiritually] with the [Holy] Spirit, are you now reaching perfection [by dependence] on the flesh?” (Galatians 3:3 Amplified Bible)
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