The Paradox of Life

Yesterday morning while enjoying my early morning coffee overlooking the Pacific Ocean, I opened my facebook page to learn that my friend and preaching colleague, Tony, had passed from this life.

I knew he was fighting a tough battle against cancer, but didn’t expect this. Not now. It was too soon. He had so much more to give. To share. And to use his voice to make a difference in the Kingdom and in the world.

Soon other facebook notifications popped up. Birth announcements. Birthday notices. Anniversary celebrations. Others like us, enjoying vacations in far away places.

Then it reminded me (again) how life is filled with so many paradoxes.

While some are celebrating, others are mourning. Right here in Hawaii, on the next Island of Maui, so many are suffering loss. They lost their homes, businesses, and the lives of their loved ones. Their beloved iconic town of Lahaina is reduced to rubble and ashes. Yet, thousands of others, like Norma Jean and me, are experiencing a lovely, relaxing vacation. In fact, many on Maui are requesting tourists to still come and support their economy. What a paradoxical juxtaposition of people just miles apart with opposite emotions, concerns, hopes, and fears.

Of course, the reality is that we all experience those feelings at different times in our lives. I’ve been to the house of mourning. I’ve experienced loss. Separation. Heartbreak. And tragedy. And, so have you.

In the timeless passage of Ecclesiastes the Preacher of old observed that life is a mixture of good and bad. Ups and downs. Laughter and tears. Peace and conflict. Gain and loss. And, of course, birth and death (Eccl. 3:1-8).

Furthermore, we’ve observed and have experienced the best of people rising up in the most difficult of situations. Comfort in the midst of sorrow. Help when adversity strikes. Benevolence in times of financial crisis. Encouragement when we’re in the valley of discouragement. Hope when the situation seems hopeless. Love when we’ve been betrayed. And faith that is shared and realized to dispel doubt and fear.

These life realities should awaken us to remember that we are all in different places in our journey. Today, we may be on the mountain top, but let’s be sympathetic to those struggling in the valley. While we are celebrating, stop and pray for those who are hurting. Lend a hand or a listening ear, when possible.

These obvious life changes and challenges ought to provide some balance to our attitudes and actions. We cannot flippantly and unrealistically think that nothing bad happens to good people. Nor should we feel that life is all terrible when we’re in the pit.

The apostle Paul knew how to deal with both a little and a lot. With prosperity and adversity. With success and suffering. How? He said, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:11-13)

You see the answer to the problems and paradoxes of life lies beyond this life. It has to do with an eternal perspective. One that sees the unseen. One that desires to lose his life to find it. One than knows we must give up the good for the better and the best. One that believes that we must put off mortality to gain immortality (1 Cor. 15:35-58).

My friend, Tony, had an eternal perspective. He often spoke of that glory for which he lived in its heavenly promise. It’s a wonderful legacy he leaves for his family, friends, and brethren,  It is a viewpoint that he would commend and recommend to all of you as you face life’s trials.

So, whatever your situation or circumstance today, trust God. Follow Jesus. Live by faith. Embrace the hope of the gospel. And bask in the light of His divine love.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman