Paradox

"Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls."

- Jesus, Matthew 11:29

"I know Jesus lives in my heart, because when I put my hand on my heart, I can feel Him walking around in there."

- 5 year old little girl

He was sent down from Heaven, in the form of a baby, born of a virgin, lived a sinless life and walked the earth doing miracles for people He met. He never did the things wrong that you and I do wrong - but they hung Him on a cross and crucified Him and He died. On the third day, in a real moment of historic time, He rolled the stone away from the entrance to His tomb and He stepped out. Alive! Risen from the dead! And then He appeared to the disciples and to 500 people and then He ascended back up into Heaven where today He sits at the right hand of the Father's Throne and one day He is coming back again as the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, the King of kings and Lord of lords to rescue you and I once and for all and forever in Heaven!

I don't know when I have ever seen a more vivid and striking portrait of "Gentleness" -- Unlimited power under God's control. PARADOX.

Could it be that this characteristic in Jesus, more than any other, is what captured your heart? His understanding of our predicament; His sensitivity to our excuses; His patience with our faults; His tenderness with our hurts; His grace for our mistakes. Isn't that what convinced you He loves you?

"Gentleness", the seventh fruit of the Spirit, is a series of embodied Paradoxes:

         power that is also tender...

         royalty that is also humble...

         deference that is also intelligent...

         subtlety that is also impactful...

         fragility that has the force to upend the status quo...

"Gentleness" may be an enigma but its transformative power to break down walls, walk through resistance, and turn an enemy into a friend demands we build this trait into our character!

Live out the Paradox today - surprise someone in your world today with the power of Gentleness!

Pastor Harry

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