Jesus and I have been talking a lot about paradoxes today. I love how God uses them to entice our imagination or curiosity. It always leads us to discovery. Of what exactly?! He usually goes to great lengths, at least with me to give me the adventure of a lifetime and keep me engaged and excited, in a way entertain me with my own self-discovery if you will. Yes, I like to be entertained and I make due when lacking:). Indiana Jones can’t have all the fun! Here are a few paradoxes: die that you might live, God in the flesh, give that you might receive etc…what about dependant independence?
I thought about that today as I read a friend’s blog. What she had to say really hit the spot. I wondered why her blog worked. I have read so many GREAT ones already. Perhaps, it was her love. It was ever so humbly and simply offered. It was raw not gourmet. There was no demand or imposition. Only undeserving gratitude towards her Master and others. Or maybe because her limitations were a gift from God and I could relate or maybe because I ALWAYS respond to a gentle spirit. I think all of the above would suffice. But I am forever grateful for her faithful tenderness. That’s how she ministers to my heart. Her tenderness always leads me to respond to my Master. It doesn’t demand or impose. It gently leads. What a gift!
I think this was her first blog of sharing some of her journey. And I know, it did take obedience on her part to decide to share some of it with us. There is always cost associated with obedience but its fruit is much, much sweeter. Her obedience to do so, led me to obedience. So I can’t help but wonder about dependant independence and the paradox that I find it to be by definition alone. I think God (mind you, God can do just fine without either one of us) was waiting on her obedience so I would be led to respond to Him, and by default continue to lead another person, known or unknown to me, to respond to Him and that person does the same and so the dependant independence is birthed. That, I believe, is only because we are always dependant on God and thus each other. I think it all started with Eve’s rebellion, or “independence” if you will.
I wonder what our world would look like if we all obeyed. Maybe there would be less turmoil, poverty, sickness, war or pain. Ah, the latter! Why is the source of it such a good excuse to justify the “independent” results of it?! I wonder what our communities, our families, our friendships, our inner selves would look like if we obeyed our Maker on the “spot”. It makes me wonder about His “plan” for me and what part it plays in His Kingdom Plan. I wonder what we could do with all the saved or not wasted time of “independence”. Isn’t time we always complain we have so little of?! Maybe Jesus would come much, much sooner and take us home. And I like the latter as my favorite alternative. I can’t wait to see Him! And I am thankful I got to obey today. Pray for tomorrow.
Love you all deeply!
Coming soon L…ha, got to come back to find out:)
View her blog at http://www.myspace.com/jenniferdalenehart
