Perfection, holiness and old cars

Perfection. I am thinking of perfection in the American sense of wanting everything to work properly, the first time, consistently, and without maintenance. The joke around our house is that I am "Tech Support". In Bolivia we require a lot of tech support; for cars, computers, pumps, roofs, etc., etc. The trade off we have come to is that Jeanie manages the household in tough circumstances, but I do all the Tech Support. Fortunately these days my young associate, Andrew, is becoming quite adept at Tech Support.

The ongoing pursuit of perfection in all things mechanical means spending a lot of time visiting the mechanic. After a while we come to a new trade off: perfection vs. time spent pursuing perfection. Am I willing to accept a certain level of ongoing low level imperfection in order to have time to do the ministry God has called us to? Our radiator leaks a little. Back in the U.S. I wouldn't tolerate that. Here, well, I am sort of resigned to checking the water level every couple of days.

When I think of my personal life, can I afford the same luxury of tolerating and accomodating a low level of sin - imperfection - in my life? God tells me in his word:


As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy." I Pet 1:14-16

and again:

For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. Rom 8:13

What seems expedient in the physical world, i.e. tolerating imperfection, doesn't seem to be profitable in the spiritual world. God has a higher standard. Fortunately for us His higher standard is accompanied by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Well, anyway, that's what I've been thinking about this week. I'll write more later on some exciting new developments in the ministry.

Blessings from Bolivia,
Ron