Perfection

This is a shot taken at Clark Gardens Botanical Park outside Mineral Wells, Texas.  It is worth the trip out west if you’re ever in the DFW metroplex.  The Gardens are part of the 501(c)3 Max and Billie Clark Foundation - Clark Gardens Botanical Park, designed to display beautiful foliage throughout the year.  I haven’t been back this summer, fearing the impact of our drought.

This photo was taken because of the reflection.  The clouds, shrubs, wall, are all reflected in the still waters.  It reminds me that we are to be a reflection of Christ.  Paul wrote of this, and about not having attained the perfection we strive to be.

Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:12 KJV)

Some people see Christians as acting as though they have attained that perfection.  They see a “better than you” attitude in some church members.  Some church members actually display that attitude, but they aren’t.  Paul knew that he hadn’t, though he was imprisoned, facing death simply for telling his world about Christ:

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended:

He knew a couple of things that had to be done, though – don’t hold on to the past.  Don’t hold grudges and don’t allow past mistakes to lead anyone astray:

but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, (Philippians 3:13 KJV)

There is a lot before each and every once of us.  Not until we take our last breath do we reach forth unto those things which are before us.

I like the way Matthew Henry’s Commentary puts it:

As for other matters of difference, lay no great stress upon them, God shall reveal even this unto you. Whatever it is wherein you differ, you must wait till God give you a better understanding, which he will do in his due time. In the mean time, as far as you have attained, you must go together in the ways of God, join together in all the great things in which you are agreed, and wait for further light in the minor things wherein you differ.

We will differ.  We are imperfect people, even when we act as though we’ve got “it” together.  Nope, we remain a work in progress, changing daily, praying it is for the better.  “Please, be patient with us,” is not only our prayer to our Father, but to our unsaved friends.  We are an imperfect reflection of our Lord.  Meet Him for yourself before deciding.