In our writing group, we have a rule before reading our work aloud: No disclaimers.

It’s an important rule. Without it, each of us would spend precious minutes describing what’s wrong with our work and what we intend to change rather than just letting our words breath the air and receive a hearing.

Sometimes, one of us will forget and begin to disclaim.

Another will raise a hand and say, “Stop. Of course, we know it’s c * *p, read it anyway.”

Everyone in the group has solid writing ability so no one’s work stinks. That saying is just our way of acknowledging that first drafts, beginning efforts, works in progress, all have their rough edges and pot holes but there’s no point in waiting for perfection.

Perfection happens in the process.

As writers, we labor under constant fear that our words fall short of our vision, and at various stages along the way from first sentence to final product, they do

Until one day, they don’t.

But it doesn’t happen without sticking with a poem or a story or a paragraph that initially wasn’t right, wasn’t exact, wasn’t up to par. And a new writer’s moods are fickle, so she must exercise caution before declaring a work not worthy of completion.

Veteran writers understand that great final works often looked like unpromising c**p somewhere along the way but someone with a vision and a faithful heart hung in through the process until what was useless, dry straw was finally spun into gold.

Among the verses I struggle to believe is I Corinthians 4:1-5: “This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.” ESV

Paul warns us against judging our lives too early in the process. He knew that, very often, a life can be at a stage where it looks unpromising, where it falls seriously short, where, if it were judged, it might seem destined for destruction.

But he also wisely knew that it is best to leave the judging of a life to God and to let it happen at its proper time because the light of Christ can reveal aspects that are not visible to the naked, fallen human eye.

Are you struggling with what your life looks like right now?

Are you trying to judge your own work or standing by as others judge it?

God has a vision for your life and He is faithful and has a heart for sticking with us until we reach the perfection of looking like Christ. He is a veteran of this work and does not discourage easily nor judge too early.

As the author of our salvation, He doesn’t throw out His first drafts. Revisions and edits can be as painful as surgery but they are not judgments that we are useless; they are the process of bringing our lives to perfection.

There’s a saying for parents that goes, “Don’t judge October apples in June.” We would be wise to apply that saying to our own lives

Too often, I get bogged down in sorting through and judging my life rather than moving on with it, submitting to the Lord’s correction or pruning, and living in the trust that He is the only One with the wisdom to judge.

Not people who don’t know me.

Not my friends and family.

Not I.

Perfection happens in the process.

As fallen humans abiding under grace, a long way from glory, we frequently labor under the fear that our lives fall short of our vision, and at various stages along the way from first breath on earth to first breath in glory, they do

Until one day, they don’t.

That day will come. And the story of your life will become a classic, revered in its proper context, and retold for eternity because your story has intersected with His story, and that, my friends, is a recipe for perfection.

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5 Comments

The Conversation

1. Marcia Chadwick Moston says:

   March 11, 2012 at 4:58 pm

   Wow thanks. Judging selves? Nah, I don’t beat myself up constantly! A GREAT reminder, and as usual,both well perceived and well said.

   Reply
2. Vonda Skelton says:

   March 12, 2012 at 2:33 am

   Well, I must say this is the first time I’ve ever seen the words “verses” and “c**p” in the same sentence!

   But yes, we do forget who we are…and Who He is..

   Thanks for the reminder!

   Reply
3. Vonda Skelton says:

   March 12, 2012 at 2:35 am

   This comment has been removed by the author.

   Reply
4. Carmen says:

   March 12, 2012 at 3:50 am

   Perfection is wound up in God’s timing. A long time ago someone told me that life was like a work of embroidery. As people we often tend to look at the jumbled mess on the backside, but too easily forget to see the beauty being created on the other side of the piece.

   Reply
5. morganlacyhuber says:

   March 31, 2012 at 5:44 am

   You continually encourage, show me new perspectives and teach me through your blog. I thoroughly enjoy it! Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts.

   Reply