Compassion Vs Perfection: what really is ideal?

Oftentimes we find ourselves chasing the perfect. The perfect body, house, spouse, children, or just general existence. In my own life I used to get so wrapped up in obtaining these ideas that I often lost the true essence of perfection…. Compassion. Compassion for myself when I inevitably fall short of my own expectations and compassion for others when they do as well. The most important thing about achieving goals is consistency and dedication. If I want to write a book I have to find the time to dedicate to it. If I want to lose weight I must work out consistently. In trying to obtain these goals we can often get obsessive with our ideal of how they should be processed or done and crushed when we don’t meet them as we imagined in our minds because kids, work, sickness, or other life happenings that occur. And for those of us who struggle with mental health, medical diagnosis, or the general human condition it is important to meet yourself where you are and push for the steps that get you closer to the goal instead of dwelling on how perfect you are able to achieve it. Don't want to hit the gym? Find an at home program like Daily burn. Don’t want to buy all the fancy bike gear but want to ride a bike? Wear what you want and enjoy a bike ride. There are no rules except the ones you confine yourself to as there are so many options provided to us now. Do what makes you happy and find joy in your life as long as it doesn’t harm others around you. What if the next time your fitness goal gets interrupted by sickness you focus with gratitude for the chance to take a rest and care for your body in another way? Healing through rest is also healthy and sickness is inevitable in this world. Exercise can be good or bad depending on the circumstance. This duality is present in most things in life. Water is good, unless you drink way too much then it can kill you. Life is about balance and understanding that different scenarios need different solutions but there is always space for a grateful heart.

Finding gratitude in the things around you and processes you are currently in is vital for a happy and healthy mindset. We all make mistakes and change our minds. We all have our quirks and shortcomings. When I read the teachings of Jesus and his relationships with those he was closest to, he knew of their shortcomings but loved them anyway. Saw the value of their existence and focused on their goodness while also calling them out on their faults in a direct and calm way. It also reminds me of the story about the Canaanite woman he turned away in Matthew 15:21-28:

The Faith of a Canaanite Woman

21 And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon.

22 And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.”

23 But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.”

24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

25 But she came and l knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.”

26 And he answered, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.”

27 She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” 28 Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, o great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly

Here Jesus is showing the hierarchy and superiority this world imposes on us. It was a lesson that this woman (even though the world wouldn’t have you believe it) isn’t less than anyone else. It was her faith in Jesus’ ability and willingness to call him on the injustice of denying one of God’s creations that ultimately saved her daughter's life. For God so loved the world and created every creature that He does not wish you to deny anyone that seeks the love and healing nature of God regardless of their stature or imposed place in society. As we evolve and times change so does our understanding of God. God does not wish for you to look at the differences among us but rather the similarities. It does not matter how someone comes to the conclusion of wanting and having a good heart, it matters that they have it. It does not matter if they adhere to the same terminology as you do, it is the values and longing to see goodness in the world that does. Those who are willing to see past the differences are truly seeking the Kingdom of God and glorifying His name.

John 16:12–14-

12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you.”

In this verse Jesus is letting us know that he has knowledge that the world and people were not ready to hear or comprehend at his time. For there are things that still need to be revealed as humanity is ready to comprehend it. The time is now. When we lead a life filled with love and compassion, seeing the faults in others and keeping each other accountable, we are leading a life of true perfection. In order to get to the perfect it must first start with compassion and accountability for each other and ourselves.