Life is filled with seemingly contradictory positions – paradoxes in which we must hold the truth of multiple realities at the same time. This tension makes life complex, but it also gives us the freedom to live fuller lives. We don’t have to deny important parts of our story in order to fit them into simplistic perspectives.
Moments in which we are both happy and sad might be one of the most common forms of paradox. For example, the transitions of life are often bittersweet. Part of us is excited for all that’s to come, while another part of us grieves what we’re leaving behind.
And this is similar to discovering a sober joy in life – opening fully to the profound goodness available without diminishing the heartache and pain also present.
We’re called to love others even as we love ourselves, and we must do both in order to fulfill our potential. To simply love ourselves misses who God has called us to be in the lives of others. But we cannot love others well without also loving ourselves.
One of the greatest spiritual truths is that we must die in order to live. The way to life is paradoxically through the path of death.
There’s paradox even in our identity. We are men while remaining the children of God. We hold the burden and responsibility of mature manhood while ever looking to and remaining dependent on our loving Father
We’re sure to find paradoxes in countless other ways throughout our life and relationships.
And while it’s tempting to dismiss them and settle for a simpler either/or approach to life, learning to embrace both/and realities enriches our life in many ways.
Gain wisdom to address the complexities of life by holding the tensions of paradox.
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