“I love paradoxes. The universe seems to communicate it’s deepest truths hidden in opposing tensions. Almost as if to confuse the selfish and simple minded. It put its treasures in mysterious limbo, only to be uncovered by the calm or crushed soul that relaxes into mystery out of curiosity or exhaustion. You have to stop fighting to see it. And once there, you see beautiful the paradoxes everywhere. You won’t find yourself until you lose yourself. If you want love, you must give it away. If you want people to like you, you must first forget about yourself and like other people. If you want bigger muscles, you must first tear them down.” – Jedidiah Jenkins
A few years ago, Jedidiah Jenkins biked from Oregon to Patagonia (that’s in southern South America, in case you were wondering). He’s one of the most brilliant writers I know, and if you’re looking for some depth to your Insta feed, I’d definitely recommend giving him a follow [@jedidiahjenkins].
I agree with Jed in that the mysteries of life are often found in paradoxes. Christianity isn’t any different. We find freedom by becoming slaves to Christ. We gain our life by losing it. In our weakness God is made strong. It goes on.
My life has been nothing short of a paradox lately. Emotionally, it’s been one of the hardest seasons I’ve ever been through. I’ve found myself at the end of my rope with nothing left to give. I am less sure of my future than I’ve ever been. Yet somehow, amidst all this, I have more peace than ever before. I feel freer than ever before. I’m falling in love with Jesus all over again, something I’ve needed for a very long time. In my weakness, I am finding strength. In my brokenness, I am finding healing. In a time when joy should be in short supply, I have found joy abundant. It goes on.
There are two truths I’ve been repeating to myself over and over again lately:
God is good.
I am God’s beloved.
Whatever I go through and however I change, those things never, ever will.
God is good.
I am God’s beloved.
I’m thankful for peace and joy in a season when it could be easy not to have any. I’m also thankful life works in paradoxes. Things would be pretty mundane if it worked otherwise.
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This post was originally published on my personal blog here.