What is the Difference Between Perfectionism and Excellence?

Perfectionism is an unhealthy, rigid behavior that harms ourselves and those around us. It seeks the utmost control, a tyrant over falling short in any way. For most, this is not so extreme. Perfectionism, however, can become so severe it ruins our mental health, creates stress in marriages, harms families, and scars children. It is often marked by depression and self-critical behavior. Anger toward others when they do not meet our unrealistic standard is a form of this character trait.

Excellence is different. An ideal which looks toward doing well; it seeks ones best in a spirit of growth and freedom. A healthy goal of achievement allows for mistakes and failure, with the view of learning from them. One can have a strong bent toward seeking excellence and not be perfectionist. Without desire for excellence, music, art, sports, or any other endeavor we seek would not exhibit a quality of  beauty in which the human heart rejoices.

How can we discover which we are exhibiting? Some clues: Are we hurting ourselves or those around us? Do we seek the best but allow failure in ourselves and others? Is an activity or goal meant to be enjoyed making us miserable? Another is often repeating, "I just want things done right, " a defensive statement that seeks to condone unbending behavior.

Will You Let God Love you?

There are many reasons we will not come to God. Some of them are bitter attitudes we nurse. Or we may feel a sense of failure so deep we assume He could never receive someone like us. In both cases we let our experiences cloud our judgment and miss the meaning of grace. It is not “what has God done for me lately” resentment; rather we are sinners before a Holy God. Nor do we need to walk away in our shame and tears, forever alone in our emptiness.

God is calling us to His Son Jesus, who paid the price to set us free. This is love we cannot comprehend until we answer yes to this gift. There is no longer a life of just existing and clawing our way along, freedom and joy waits. Will you let God love you and allow Him to wash you in His grace? Will you give yourself to the Savior?

Great Horned

At left is a new colored pencil piece of a Great Horned Owl, created on canvass. It is the second piece on canvas that I have done with this medium. There is a lot less layering than my regular colored pencil artwork with this surface. The background has a style similar to a work I did, titled, "Watchful", of a Red Tailed Hawk, also on canvass, shown below.

Artwork left: © Jeffrey M Green. "Great Horned", 11" x 14", colored pencils.

© Jeffrey M Green. "Watchful",
11" x 14", colored pencils.

Broken and Shed

This is colored pencil piece symbolizes the Lord's Supper. The realism and painterly style of the medium is typical of most of my work.

The chalice symbolizes the wine Jesus shared with the disciples on the night of the Last Supper, spilled on the cloth to call to mind His shed blood for our sins. The bread is broken, as He did that night, saying His body is broken for us. Reflected in the cup, you see a cross’s shadow. A symbol of what was to come and what we look to now. That evening, the cross was before Jesus. He would suffer on the cross, declare, "It is finished", die, and rise again. In His sacrifice our redemption is sure, grace and mercy purchased in His wonderful love.

Communion was not meant to be an empty ritual to perform in order to "behave religiously". Nor does this work symbolize dry ritual. Communion is a holy occasion for those who have actively put their trust in Jesus Christ. Scripture calls us to examine ourselves before we partake, appreciating this solemn moment of thankfulness for the price paid for us. It is sobering, yet imbued with wonderful hope. In Christ, we are sinners set free, forgiven, assured of eternal life that begins now and comes to wonderful fruition when we see Jesus face to face.

As I partake, I sometimes observe those around me as they walk to the front to receive the wine and bread. There are people of all kinds, each with their own struggles in life, who likewise share faith in our Lord. I reflect that worldwide brothers and sisters are doing the same. As a community of believers, our blessed hope and utmost joy is Jesus Christ. He is our Savior, Brother, Friend, Lord, and Master. Who, on the night He ate the Passover meal with the disciples, said "do this in remembrance of me".

Artwork: © Jeffrey M Green. "Broken and Shed", 16" x 20", colored pencils.

Depression

Second in the portrait Prayer Series, is the new graphite pencil work titled, "Heavy".

The theme is depression. It is not in hopelessness, however. The Psalms, Job, and other Scripture passages, show us that God invites us to pour the depths of our heart out to Him.

When we think of the word hope today, we understand it as self-help or wishful sentiments that can't reach us in our deep brokenness. This is not what God offers us. We seek Jesus Himself, a sure trust in which we can rely. Since Jesus experienced the pain of human experience, we have a Savior who knows our circumstances. In power and mercy, the risen Redeemer is a place of intimate safety. In Him, we have assurance during the darkest times.

God wants the real you, to transform the real you with the hope of His Son. We do not have to hide our pain. That is my hope through each struggle.

Artwork: © Jeffrey M Green. "Heavy", 11" x 14", graphite pencil.

The Artist's Role of Highlighting Creation

Romans 1:20 is an experience artists highlight. In this verse is an observational and experiential stimulus that provokes spiritual response. Art can reflect this, drawing curiosity to the deeper meaning of life by showcasing what God has made.

Artwork: © Jeffrey M Green. "Through the Trees", colored pencils.

Marriage, a Test of Character

As Christians we are called to live for our Lord and to serve Him with our whole heart. A chief purpose, in response to His love for us, is to love others. Since our modern idea of love is superficial and more in terms with what we can get out of it, it helps to review what love is: Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. In summary, instead of solely seeking fulfillment for our own benefit, or being defined by fuzzy emotion, love is sacrificial.

As I reflect on my life, I find it easy to love folks from afar. I can amiably relate to those I hardly know, acquaintances seen only sometimes, or people with which I do not spend a great deal of time. With those I spend my life it becomes a much greater challenge. For me, this is marriage. Love others, oh sure, I can do that. To genuinely, selflessly love, in my home day in and day out is another thing.

Love and marriage is hard work. Marriage shows the depths of our true character in the volatility of relationships and vulnerable personalities. An intimate spousal connection is visceral; that is, deep seated, in the guts so to speak. In the closeness of union we are exposed, beyond the face we put on for the world. Over the years I realized, if I can not treat my wife with the true love of Christ, what good is it if I can treat others this way? Can I say I have love at all, or is it something else, something more convenient? It is a stark reminder I have plenty of growing to do. A husband’s role is no casual duty, our wives deserve nothing less.

The vast terrain that needs work in my life as a husband is humbling. For a man who comes from an isolated and withdrawn background with emotional and mental issues, there have been hard lessons. I am so grateful that not only does my Savior daily offer His unmerited grace; my wife demonstrates grace by forgiving me and loving me through my imperfections. She inspires me to want to treat her the same.

It is said marriage is a picture type of God's love. If this is so, I am learning of God's patience, unmerited mercy, daily personal love, and His forgiveness in Christ "seventy times seven" times.

Artwork: © Jeffrey M Green.