Pressing on to finish well

“Dear Jane” is a complicated quilt made in 1863 by Jane Stickle and now displayed in a museum in Vermont. A modern quilter was given permission to make patterns for the 200 plus blocks in this quilt and put them into a book that has sold more than 100,000 copies. The book has no instructions but thousands of quilters have tackled their version, and most of them would agree with the motto that was coined because of the challenges of making this beauty: “Finished is better than perfect.”

My “Dear Jane” covers our guest bed. (This photo is Jane Stickle's) Both came to mind as I read today’s devotional about the dangers of being a perfectionist, for with that attitude, many projects may never get off the starting block.

He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap. As you do not know the way the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a woman with child, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything. In the morning sow your seed, and at evening withhold not your hand, for you do not know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good. (Ecclesiastes 11:4–6)

These verses describe those who want ideal conditions for doing their work. They wait for perfect weather or perfect timing, yet forget the power of God who is not looking for perfection but obedience. The Christian motto might be, “Obedience is better than perfection.”

Being overcautious has as much danger attached as being rash. Consider this person that Jesus describes, a man given a stewardship but who did not do anything with it . . . 

He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ (Matthew 25:24–25)

The other servants who received similar stewardships took common risks, but this man would risk nothing, and because of it, he lost everything. We know the perils of genius, but Jesus pointed to the perils of mediocrity. Great people with skill and inspiration believe they can and will say “Things are worth doing when you can do them well.” But those who have but one talent and a mediocre mind must learn that if a job is worth doing, it is worth doing poorly.

I’m learning this. The courses I’m taking offer a challenge to focus on the marks. I determined to focus on the education, on what I can learn. The latest one is so filled with information that it could have been two courses. It is putting my determination to the test for my mind can absorb only so much. I’ve even had thoughts of quitting, but remember that finishing this degree was God’s idea. Out of obedience, I must finish it. I tell myself that the other courses are not like this one. Besides, “finished is better than perfect” applies at times, certainly to this course. While my determination still includes a focus on learning, it is carrying overtones of just making the finish line.

These few weeks have been grim, gloomy and filled with headaches and frustration. I’ve had heaps of temptation to distract me and give blur to my focus, plus a host of ‘bad news’ that weighs heavy on my heart and makes study nearly impossible. At the same time, I do not know what God will do with this course or all of them. He may prosper my efforts or multiply beyond my imagination this small talent that I’ve invested. All I know is that He encourages me to press on. In doing that, I am trusting Him as I inch closer to that finish line.

Neither sleet, nor snow, nor mosquitoes . . .

Artist Paul Braid said he had learned an important lesson about going outside to paint. “If I let the weather keep me inside, very soon I will stop going out at all.”

The speaker at last weekend’s writer’s conference suggested something similar. “If you let rejection and setbacks hold you back, soon you will never write another word.”

The writer of Ecclesiastes offers the same wisdom . . . 

He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap. As you do not know the way the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a woman with child, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything. In the morning sow your seed, and at evening withhold not your hand, for you do not know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good. (Ecclesiastes 11:4–6)

Translation: if I wait for perfect conditions before I do anything, soon I will be unable to act at all. All work, effort, even obedience to God will come to a halt. Nothing will be accomplished because perfect conditions do not exist. Besides, I haven’t a clue how God might use even the smallest offerings . . . 

The conference speaker told several stories about God’s surprises with his work. He had been helped by a theologian and wanted to thank him by writing a story for him. He went for a walk with his dogs, sat down on a bench in the woods, and wrote a short story. He sent it to the man, then he forgot about it.

Months later, the theologian contacted him, praising the story and asking if he could have it printed in his college publication. The writer said yes, and it was so well received that he was asked to submit something for every issue, four times a year. He did and later, a large publisher in California called him. They had seen the articles and wondered if he would be interested in helping them with a Bible translation . . .  and the process of one thing leading to another as God used a short story written on a park bench to prosper his career in completely unexpected ways.

I’d taken lessons from artist Paul Braid in the 70’s. He died in 1999, but I’ve never forgotten how he stuck to his own advice. Nothing stopped him. He painted outdoors at times when the temperature was so cold that his oils were too stiff to manipulate, forcing him to paint from the warmer interior of his idling car. His example speaks to me often whenever I balk at doing the tasks God places in front of me.

I might balk in procrastination because of uncertainty about next step or my ability to take it. That requires prayer, but most of the time I just don’t feel like doing the next item on the chore list. I’m lazy, bored, or unmotivated. But God says to tackle all projects with zeal. He offers several motivations. . . 

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol (the grave), to which you are going. (Ecclesiastes 9:10)

Life is short and my time here will run out. I often say I will not live long enough to do all that I want to do. But there is another sense to being zealous and it is not about me . . .  

Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. (Romans 12:11)

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:17)

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men . . .  (Colossians 3:23)

As a Christian, I am not serving myself. Because I am following Jesus Christ and His leading, He expects me to serve Him the same way I’m to love Him — with all my heart, mind, soul and strength. That includes everything from cleaning the bathroom to writing an article, painting a landscape, and speaking to others about Him. He promises me that if I give Him my best, good will come of it.

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:58)