Perfection is a lifetime commitment in total surrender to the will of God. Though we may receive many graces as we travel the path towards perfection, there is only one who is perfect, and that is God. So we will never obtain total perfection but if we diligently seek after God’s will, we will find  perfection in great abundance.

Having decided to obey the will of God, here are God's laws in brief. Exodus 20-3-17, "You shall have no other Gods before Me. You shall not make graven images, and worship them. You shall not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain. Keep the Sabbath holy. Honor thy father and mother. You shall not kill. You shall not commit adultery,. You shall not steal. You shall not bear false witness. You shall not covet."

As I have often stated, in all things put yourself into the hands of God. So that should someone laugh at you, or strike you, accept it. Though this principal may be hard to accept, we must remember we have surrendered to God, so His will be done. We must trust in Him. We must not attempt to oppose His will. Who can fight against God?

The Scriptures tell us that Job was a God fearing man. Satan set out to destroy Job, and tried to get him to curse God. Job was struck down with sores from head to toe. His children were butchered, so that Job's wife said to Job, "Curse God and die." Yet, Job told his wife that he would not curse God and die and he said to his wife, 'The Lord gives and the Lord takes." When Job's tribulation was over, Job received great favor, (gift or grace) from God, because Job had reflected the mirror image of his creator.

Note: The story of Job can be found in the Old Testament. Check Bible index.

Abraham set out to offer his son Isaac in a holocaust of burnt offerings, Genesis 22-1-13. God had come to Abraham and told him to do this. Abraham built an altar, and placed his son upon the wood. As Abraham was about to put the fire to the wood, God stopped him. Having been put to the test, God told Abraham to remove his son from the altar and offer a beast, which God provided. Abraham accepted all things as the will of God. God favored him because Abraham reflected the mirror image of his creator.

So we may be rich today, and poor tomorrow. Healthy or sick, no matter what hardship we face, we must accept all things as the will of God. This means we have to conform to His will. And as Saint Teresa said, "All our good consists of this, do not imagine there are other secrets."

In accepting God's will we should do so as well in our daily life. Did someone almost run you off the road, did you start to write a letter, and then the pen refused to work. Is your neighbors dog barking as you try to rest, accept it all as the will of God. The will of God is good, and as the angels sang, "...And peace on earth to men of good will." So accept all things and be at peace, knowing you are in the hands of the living God.

I have written this by grace.

And the man said to the rich man, "What do you see when you look at me? Do you see a poor man? My hair is not combed, my beard is not trimmed, my clothes are old and torn. I tell you I am not poor, accept in the ways of this world. For I am richer than if I were the master of the whole world, and everything in it. For I have surrendered to the will of God, and my yoke is easy, and I am at peace."

So Job having done according to the will of God though he suffered, achieved a greater good. Abraham, as well, and the man I have written about by grace. Each has obtained a greater good on the path of perfection, because each conformed to the will of God.

In this I say, be slow to anger, try not to let anything upset you. Give glory to God in all things that He may send you. He has sent you what He has sent you because He is the artist with a burning love for you. His only desire is to make you a beautiful work of art.