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UNDAUNTED
For a few very hard years this word was my mantra.
The word means
-undismayed; not discouraged; not forced to abandon purpose or effort
-undiminished in courage or valor; not giving way to fear
But the truth is, I was often dismayed by everything that had taken place, and I did battle discouragement. I battled fear and doubts. I hurt and was angry, and sometimes "undaunted" sounded more like a mockery than a mantra, and I was determined to be real about all of it in these posts, thus the name, Undaunted Reality. More than that, though, I was determined to live undaunted, not because I'm so great or strong, but because my God is, and no matter what this world looks like, He is the only reality that matters.
I pray I live the reality of Him beautifully undaunted.

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Paradox

I find myself fighting within my mind because an event I did not want has occurred. On one hand, I hate it and wish it had never happened. On the other, my faith leads me to ask with expectation, "What next?"

It is the end of so many things, and yet, I embrace it because I know there is a bigger picture, and nothing ends that the Lord does not bring something new and good out of it.

And in the midst of sadness and questions of today I find joy knowing that this is a step toward tomorrow when more of the grander scheme will be revealed.

It is within this paradox that I find the ability to laugh through my tears because I trust in the greatest paradox of all--my God.

Only God would let one man die so others could live.

Only God would say if you want me to think highly of you, think more highly of others.

Only God would say to have it all I should give it all away.

Only God would love me so much that He refused to let me remain who I was.

Only God would command us to worship Him by resting in Him.

Only God would offer a priceless gift of grace for free.

And only God has the power to redeem horrific wrongs by using them to make things right.

And only God can tell promise to make sense of all this seeming insanity and me believe Him.

And I do.

Wondrously, that too is part of that paradox.

5 comments:

  1. Doesn't our Daddy just rock? I can feel him refreshing me and cleansing me and filling me up! Praise Him! Praise Him! Praise Him! This post is great!

    Love you sister-friend!
    Debra

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  2. Jerri - just checking in - LOVE your new blog - it's beautiful - in design and wording!!

    Have a wonderful weekend.

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  3. And only God asks for a sacrifice of praise. When the enemy attacks - it's just the ticket. When I don't FEEL like praising - then I press in and it flows and the enemy flees. It's such a wonderfully, beautiful paradox.

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  4. Great post. I tried to comment once before and it disappeared. The sacrifice of praise is like that too. When I'm fighting a spiritual battle I may not FEEL like praising God but then I do and it flows. It's another beautifully, wonderful paradox

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  5. AMEN!!! That was wonderful Jerri...it made me cry because t got me to think of what God has done for us~it me feel good inside....

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