Would you be satisfied if you were guaranteed a 95% on all projects and tests for the rest of your life?
Would you be willing to trade your chance of perfection for a guaranteed 95% in everything you do?
95% is a whole lot better than my free throw percentage, 95% is a whole lot better than my comprehension rate, or even success in relationships. Even still, there is something incredibly unnerving about shackling the soul with a 95% success rate.
I am not so much bothered by the fact that 95% success dooms me to 5% failure as much as I am bothered by the inability to strive for perfection. Personally, I think the ramifications of 95% success are unlivable.
It would make life very predictable and dull. We all enjoy complaining about failed tests, bad pick-up lines, and dumb decisions, but frankly our failures are what brings a sense of mystery and excitement to our lives.
It would negate any sense of accomplishment. What student has not felt the rush of accomplishment after hours of intense study as they look down at their grade on a project? The fulfillment of the grade does not necessarily come from a perfect 100%, but after working for a grade the ensuing accomplishment is a priceless gift.
It would destroy growth and the motivation for change. Failure is incredibly motivational. After losing a race, a motivated athlete trains longer, and works harder. Without a realization of our weakness, we are not motivated to grow stronger. I am thankful for failures, because in my failure, I am able to see that I am not, yet He is. Maybe that is part of what Paul had in mind in II Corinthians 12:9-10, “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”
For those reasons and many that you all could list, I hope your life consists of more failure in order to become more than a 95% person.