Which is your main driver ; perfection, performance or relationship ?

Identifying your driving motivation by genuinely answering this question could lead you into a life of abundance !

Perfection will lead us to frustration, performance will lead us to exhaustion but relationship will lead us to victory and into living in excellence.

John 10:10 (Passion)

A thief has only one thing in mind—he wants to steal, slaughter, and destroy. But I have come to give you everything in abundance, more than you expect —life in its fullness until you overflow!

This ‘overflow’ is applicable in all areas of our lives.

The enemy know’s this so tries to direct us onto the the road of perfection or performance, for he knows that perfection without the Lord is impossible. He also knows that performance will slowly lead us away from the Lord as it is only sustained by self (self-worth, self-strength, self-direction and self-decisions) !

Both performance and perfection do not need God as both are driven from human exploits, thoughts, mindsets, values and dreams. Anything self driven has to be self sustained and eventually will wear us out. Often leading to physical or emotional sickness and ending in destruction.

Have a quick look at Saul’s life before he met the Lord on the road to Damascus (Acts 9). All you will see is a man driven by a Pharisees agenda, (performance based, self-promotion) and self-righteousness (perfection) in his own eyes !

His encounter with the Lord led him into relationship and favour with God and man. Favour is not approval ; for if it is we end up back in performance and perfection. True favour with God and man is found in listening to the Lord and being obedient to what He is saying no matter what it is ! As we see with Jesus in Luke 2:52 and with Samuel, 1 Sam 2:26.

Paul did just this and went on living life in abundance and on-growing excellence.

Philippians 4:12,13 (NIrV)

I know what it’s like not to have what I need. I also know what it’s like to have more than I need. I have learned the secret of being content no matter what happens. I am content whether I am well fed or hungry. I am content whether I have more than enough or not enough. I can do all this by the power of Christ. He gives me strength.

The true meaning of success from the lips of Paul.

I believe this message is a key to truly succeeding in life. A goal, purpose and plan from the beginning of time that the Lord has had for you and me. I guess it’s what we all want out of our life here on earth.

Here is a challenge for today

1. For all area’s of your life, draw up in three lists, listing aspects that are ; performance, perfection or relationship driven ?

2. Now look at all the areas and aspects you have in relationship ! These are the area’s you want to celebrate ! For these aspects are achieved in a partnership with God and man.

3. The area’s of perfection and performance are area’s you need to be willing to put down at the cross. Allowing the power of Christ’s redemption to either burn them up and release you, or seperate the power of self from them so you can see them and walk in a new way through relationship.

The second part of the challenge

4. One at a time take each of the items listed in the performance and perfection areas and ask the Lord the following question :

‘Father God, I choose to give you . . . . . . . . . . (name the item on your list)’.

‘Father, what are You going to give me in return’?

The Lord will show you something amazing, more important, more relevant and designed for you !

5. Then it is up to you which one you take ! As the Lord always releases gift’s or opportunities with a open hand as an invitation.

If you want what the Lord is showing you, you need to be willing to let go of the old, to get the new. You cannot have both. This is your choice as once again the Lord is not into control, but free will and relationship.

6. If you want what the Lord is showing you, say :

‘Father, I choose to give you this item in my life . . . . . . . and choose to pickup in exchange . . . . . . . . . ; Thank you Father’.

Repeat for all the items in the different areas of your life you have listed as being driven by performance and perfection. And you will be amazed at the results, energy and the things the Lord will show you.

7. Welcome to your new, life in abundance !

Thank the Lord for all He has done.

8. Make a point of revisiting this message regularly using the skills you have learnt in the above challenges. This will help you stay on course for a life in abundance and excellence !

Father, I ask that You release Your children from the pain, frustration and the control of perfection and performance in their live’s. That in doing this they will be released into the freedom of relationship with You. That they will in turn soar higher, further and achieve so much more in excellence now that each area of their live’s are founded on relationship with You. Please release Your love and peace in a greater measure upon them and protect what they have discovered through You, that it may all come to pass ! Amen

Craig and Winnie Patten

Itinerate Pastors / Apostolic Leaders

Encounter Ministries