By Jeanni Ritchie
I’ve always had a Type A streak. Some people call it drive, some call it ambition, and some—if they’ve been on the receiving end of my endless editing—might even call it OCD. I like things to shine. In my writing, that means combing through every line until it reads smoothly. In my life, that has meant making lists, setting goals, and holding myself to high standards.
None of that is bad. In fact, there’s beauty in wanting to do things well. Scripture tells us in Colossians 3:23, “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” That means God cares about our effort, our intention, and our devotion. Doing something “heartily” requires focus and care. But there’s a fine line between wholeheartedness and perfectionism.
Perfectionism whispers that it’s never good enough. One more tweak, one more check, one more round of polishing until the deadline passes or the joy is gone. It’s a trait that can start out as a strength but quickly turns into a stumbling block. What begins as diligence morphs into paralysis. Instead of offering our work to God, we clutch it tighter, afraid of releasing something that might not measure up.
I’ve learned that perfectionism is really a cousin of pride and fear. Pride says, “I can’t let anyone see my flaws.” Fear says, “If this isn’t flawless, I’ll be rejected.” But faith says, “God can use this—even in its imperfection—because His strength is made perfect in my weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
That’s why I’ve started aiming for polish instead of perfection. Polished means I’ve honored the gift by stewarding it well. It’s proofread, it’s thoughtful, it’s shaped with love. But it also means I stop short of obsessive reworking and trust God with the rest. I let go of needing to control the outcome and remember that even my best effort is just one part of the picture. God is the one who breathes life into it.
This shift has freed me not only in writing but in life. My house doesn’t have to be spotless to be full of hospitality. My projects don’t have to be flawless to bless someone. My prayers don’t have to be eloquent to reach God’s ears. Polished is enough. Because in the end, the polish reflects care; the perfection belongs to Him alone.
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