As my return to Greece is approaching, I’ve recently found myself reflecting and reminiscing on the three weeks I spent in Athens in May 2023 with a team from APU. Among some of the time I’ve spent reminiscing, I’ve been reminded of one of the themes/ takeaways from this trip—
“He can turn mourning to dancing and ashes to beauty.”
This idea of the Lord having space for both mourning and dancing, ashes and beauty, was a new concept to me in 2023. I never thought it was possible to hold emotions of the opposite spectrum together in one space. It was, and still is as I remind myself now, comforting knowing my Father knows how to hold a duality of emotions together in one hand.
I find myself struggling with a duality of emotions daily in this season. While I’m excited to make my move overseas and begin ministry, I’m also scared to leave the life I’ve created here. While I know God is good, I can’t help but question why we’re all dealt a different deck of cards in life. While I know heard the Lord’s call on my life, I find I struggle with imposter syndrome from time to time.
I’ve found it can often feel like we are not allowed to experience emotions from opposite sides of the spectrum– joy and sorrow; excitement and fear– simultaneously. Something within me tries to deem it impossible. Luckily, God and His word remind us that there is space for these emotions. Even better, there is space to hold this range of emotions at the same time in the same hand.
Now that 2025 is in full swing and the anxieties and anticipation of what is to come are at a height, it’s incredibly encouraging to know that our God is one gracious enough to sit with us no matter the emotion. He is near, and He is in it all. Praise the Lord we are not expected to undergo the duality of emotions associated with change alone!