Paradox

Have you ever felt like you were a contradiction within yourself? Maybe you were totally at peace, feeling that you and your husband were truly in God’s will, yet at the same time your mind keeps racing with all the things happening to and around you. Or maybe your body is physically exhausted, even as your emotions soar because of the exciting things happening in your ministry.

Jesus said the greatest commands are to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself. (Mark 12:30-31). So everything is involved—the emotional, intellectual, physical, and spiritual. But sometimes the “parts” of you can’t quite seem to keep up with the whole. I think that is ok, and yet one more opportunity to give God the glory, to point out to yourself and others that the amazing things that are happening must be God’s doing, because on our own we would surely fail and/or faint! But God gives strength in the areas of our weakness, and His glory shines right through it all! When you are feeling a little overwhelmed by this incredible process, I think it’s good to re-read some big chunks of Scripture. One of my favorites is Jesus’ words to his disciples and prayers to God recorded in John chapters 14 through 17. They are so simple and profound, full of truth and comfort. Words like “peace” and “remain” appear again and again.

But my prayer for you today is from 2 Thessalonians 3:16: “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.” Amen!