Surprised by Paradox

1. Embrace paradox: Faith thrives in tension between opposing truths

"We have heard the fact. Let us seek the mystery."

Faith defies simple logic. Christianity contains numerous paradoxes that resist tidy explanations:

• God is both transcendent and immanent
• Jesus is fully divine and fully human
• We are saved by grace alone, yet called to good works
• God's kingdom is already here, but not yet fully realized

Embracing paradox cultivates humility. When we acknowledge the limits of our understanding, we open ourselves to deeper truth and wonder. Paradox invites us to:

• Hold opposing ideas in creative tension
• Resist the urge to resolve every mystery
• Approach faith with curiosity and openness
• Find meaning beyond simple either/or thinking

2. The incarnation reveals God's presence in the ordinary

"Annunciations aren't just the angelic surprises of monasteries and quiet mornings. They land on the front stoop, at the kitchen sink, in the office, in band rehearsal."

God enters our everyday reality. The incarnation - God becoming human in Jesus - affirms the goodness and sacredness of material existence. This truth transforms how we view:

• Our bodies and physical needs
• Daily work and routines
• Relationships and community
• The natural world around us

Cultivate awareness of God's presence. Practices to recognize the divine in the ordinary:

• Mindful attention to sensory experiences
• Gratitude for simple gifts and moments
• Serving others as service to Christ
• Finding beauty in unexpected places

3. God's kingdom subverts worldly power structures

"God's holy hill isn't Capitol Hill but Golgotha."

The kingdom operates by different rules. Jesus proclaimed a radically different vision of power and success:

• The last shall be first
• True greatness comes through service
• Love your enemies
• Blessed are the poor, meek, and persecuted

Live as kingdom citizens. Ways to embody kingdom values:

• Practice radical generosity and hospitality
• Advocate for the marginalized and oppressed
• Pursue reconciliation and peacemaking
• Resist the idolatry of wealth, status, and nationalism

Political engagement requires wisdom. Christians should:

• Avoid conflating faith with partisan loyalty
• Speak prophetically to all power structures
• Prioritize justice, mercy, and human dignity

4. Grace is both free gift and transformative power

"Grace is opposed to earning, but not to effort."

Unmerited favor and empowering presence. Grace has two key aspects:

• Justification: God's free gift of forgiveness and acceptance
• Sanctification: God's ongoing work of transformation in us

Receiving grace requires active participation. We cooperate with God's grace through:

• Spiritual disciplines (prayer, study, fasting, etc.)
• Obedience to God's commands
• Repentance and confession
• Service and good works

Grace produces real change. Evidence of grace in our lives:

• Growing Christ-like character
• Increased love for God and others
• Freedom from sin's power
• Desire for holiness

5. Lament is an act of faith, not despair

"To complain to God is to risk on continuous supply."

Honest expression of pain and protest. Biblical lament gives voice to:

• Grief over loss and suffering
• Anger at injustice
• Confusion about God's seeming absence
• Longing for redemption and restoration

Lament strengthens faith. Bringing our pain to God:

• Affirms God's sovereignty and goodness
• Deepens intimacy with God
• Cultivates hope and perseverance
• Leads to renewed praise and trust

Practical ways to lament:

• Pray the psalms of lament
• Journal honest prayers to God
• Create art expressing grief and longing
• Lament in community, bearing one another's burdens

6. God suffers with us in our pain and grief

"God did not simply author the songs of lament: he sang them."

The cross reveals God's solidarity with sufferers. Jesus' death demonstrates:

• God's willingness to enter human pain
• Divine empathy with our struggles
• Redemptive power of suffering love
• Victory over evil and death

God's presence in suffering brings comfort. Key truths to remember:

• We are never alone in our pain
• God understands our struggles firsthand
• Our suffering has meaning and purpose
• Ultimate healing and restoration are coming

Practical ways to experience God in suffering:

• Meditate on Christ's passion
• Seek support from Christian community
• Practice contemplative prayer and silence
• Engage in acts of compassion for others

7. Wonder and mystery are essential to vibrant faith

"There's a whole lot of promise in a little bit of wondering."

Embrace the limits of human understanding. A faith open to mystery:

• Resists reducing God to simplistic formulas
• Cultivates humility and awe
• Remains open to fresh insights and growth
• Finds beauty in complexity and paradox

Practices to cultivate wonder:

• Spend time in nature
• Engage with art and beauty
• Ask probing questions about faith and life
• Embrace silence and contemplation
• Study theology and philosophy

Wonder leads to worship. As we encounter the vastness and mystery of God, we are moved to:

• Praise and adoration
• Surrender and trust
• Renewed commitment to follow Christ
• Desire to share God's love with others

Last updated: September 2, 2024