From now on, I will be posting at a new blogging address. http://lesliesteps.blogspot.com/
I have transferred previous articles to that location, as well.

I am calling my new blog "Each Step I Take", since the purpose of this blog is to chart my journey with my Savior, Jesus Christ, my Lord. I pray that by sharing in this way, I may encourage, edify or comfort another pilgrim along the way towards that eternal home.

The words of this hymn by W. Elmo Mercer express my testimony well:

Each step I take my Saviour goes before me,
And with His loving hand He leads the way,
And with each breath I whisper "I adore Thee;"
Oh, what joy to walk with Him each day.

Ref:
Each step I take I know that He will guide me;
To higher ground He ever leads me on.
Until some day the last step will be taken.
Each step I take just leads me closer home.

At times I feel my faith begin to waver,
When up ahead I see a chasm wide.
It's then I turn and look up to my Saviour,
I am strong when He is by my side.

I trust in God, no matter come what may,
For life eternal in His hand,
He holds the key that opens up the way,
That will lead me to the promised land.

 
These three concepts have been going round and round in my mind for quite some time now. I am not exactly sure how they are related; but I want to see what I can do to braid them together.
I have been struck with how the way we perceive things affects our emotions, our spiritual well-being, our health, our responses, our relationships - everything!  Similar to the old "is the glass half full or half empty" question, the way we perceive life not only affects our response to it; but also reveals something going on inside our hearts.
I also think that we naturally desire perfection. Think about the scenarios to which people (in general) attach the word "perfect":  the perfect color,  a perfect match,  a perfect fit,  a perfect meal,  a perfect score, a perfect race,  perfect weather,  perfect health,  a perfect day,  a perfect couple, a perfect wedding,  perfect decor,  a perfect picture (hence, "picture perfect"), and on and on.  Those things that we perceive as perfect,  are not truly perfect.  That "perfect picnic" likely had ants or flies or too stiff a breeze.  The "perfect couple" may have exchanged harsh words in private conversations.  Our perception of the "perfect weather", was actually a disappointment to the farmer whose crops needed rain.  And, we expect perfection from each other, though, we may not want to admit that. Do we expect perfection from ourselves?   Unfortunately, we  are usuallly guilty of wanting to be perceived by others as nearly perfect.   We try to hide our imperfections.
And, last, but not least, perfection demands perseverance in any category.  If I desire to play a piece of music on the piano perfectly, I must practice for hours, every day.  
Ahhh...now I know how these topics fit together!  How we perceive ourselves, our sin,  this mortal life and the eternal life that Jesus Christ (the only perfect One) has provided for us, will affect how we  persevere through this life.  We will either perfect ourselves in the love of  God  and  exercise perseverance in faith to obtain it, or we will consider it of little consequence and not worth the effort.  Consider these verses as a summary: