I like the sound of these title words together. Pursuing something of value is always good. Perfection would be the something that would be the absolute best. I thought about using the title words "Chasing Perfection," but I did not think these two words were as powerful together. What would be the difference in "chasing" as opposed to "pursuing?" Is there a difference in your mind? For most of us, we would likely use these two words chasing and pursuing interchangeably.
But think about it with me for a moment. When you decide to pursue excellence is chasing it enough? If there is a difference in the two words pursuit seems to imply a more consistent effort. Chasing is a word that might be whimsical, or short term. In other words you might "chase the cat." But you would "pursue a career. " At least this seems the way I would say things. Now this may all seem kind of silly until you think about what it is in life that you are pursuing and what you are chasing. Can you easily decide what it is you chase and what you pursue? If you can make a bit of a difference in what it is that you really want from life, then you can start to sort things in order of importance. This takes a little brain work and you might not want to try it on a full stomach.
When you start to "Pursue Perfection" you are going to have to make some decisions right off the bat as to what will get the status or the title, or rating, of perfection. Some may have a real hard time with this one thought as to where we can find something perfect. An artist, a musician, a sculptor, a scientist, a dancer or even a preacher may all seek to find the one creation, performance, or sermon that seems to be perfect but is it going to truly be perfect? What seems perfect to the average eye or ear may not be perfect to the composer or creator.
If we are going to pursue perfection we have to find perfection.We will have to know it when we see it.
I want share with you two places that I believe it is found. First perfection is found in Jesus Christ. It is in Him that we find excellence and a standard that we must pursue. The second place is in the Bible which is God's word to us. When you put the two of these together you have the path to Pursue Perfection.To pursue these two will mean to give up trivial and silly things that do not matter in this world, but so often distract us form truly seeking to serve God. The writer of the book of Hebrews summed these thoughts up in 3 verses.
Hebrews 12:1-3 (NASB)
Heb 1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
When we consider Jesus we have found perfection. We also have the Word of God which is given to each of us for our hope, energy and strength in life. We may not understand all of the Bible, but I must believe His Word is Holy and perfect too. Are we pursuing or chasing our Lord and His Word?