I have been discovering recently a common theme in my life and my journey. I move from one situation to another, which is no different than anyone else in the human experience, but I am realizing that each expression of these situations are different versions of the same thing... tension. To clarify, I am not talking about stress, anxiety or worry. Rather, it is the realization that I move from a rock and a hard place in one situation to a rock and a hard place in another. It is the distance between those two items, the rock and the hard place, that determine how I react in any given situation, relationship or discussion. When the distance between the two is far apart, I feel the ability to move within that tension with less trepidation. When the distance between the two is close and squeezing me, the tension becomes a reality of great discomfort.
My current employer is going through transition. My last employer went through similar transition. Change is going to happen whether I like it or not. I exist in that tension. Some people respond by fleeing the tension. Others take ownership of the tension. While others lash out in pain from suffering wishing the tension didn't exist but fail to recognize the opportunity for growth. I have done all three. It is in the communication of why the tension exists that unlocks my responsiveness.
Tension exists to reveal character.
Before I continue, let me clarify that what I am about to reveal to you in regard to my wrestling within this tension. It is not a "one size fits all" solution or observation. I do believe that it has implications that can be used in many circumstances. It is this "one size fits all" tension that has been predominant in my life. Once I wrap my heart and mind around revealed knowledge and truth I immediately start assuming that I need to apply this to all areas of my life. However, I believe that we are supposed to live in the tension of not having a "one size fits all" response to life's quirks but there is a pattern that emerges that can guide us.
Let's continue.
I have been really struggling with some of the biblical truths that require me to balance between the rock of truth and the hard place of grace. Yes, the mental image I just painted pairing those words together was VERY intentional. Here's why.
Truth is solid, unmovable like a rock. Truth is... well, true. Grace is a hard place because it requires putting others first and that's not easy for me. Quite honestly, in the past I have always leaned towards truthful words rather than words of grace. This is not about whether or not to be honest, we should always be honest. This is a discussion of how do I speak truthfully while living in the tension of extending grace? This is called speaking the truth in love, which is fairly difficult and this is where I have discovered the disconnect. So many times I want answers to "How do I..." or "What should I do if..." It's like I want to know the one way to handle _________ situation, relationship or conversation. However, I think the answer lies in the tension of "Well, it depends." Please understand, I am not referring to a world view where nothing is true and it is all up to individual interpretation. No. What I am expressing is that every person is not the same and that we should treat each other with respect bearing each others' personal convictions, concerns and experiences in mind when we engage each other.
So I swim in this tension of how to respond. When I am at work. When I am at home. When I am with friends. When I am with family. When I am surrounded by strangers. How can I have the confidence to know that I don't know yet still act or respond in a way that values others?
This tension tests my true character in these moments. How I respond in action or word shows who I am at my core. If living in this tension makes me vulnerable and living in his tension reveals my true character, then what I believe in or trust in the most in life determines how I respond. If I trust in my friends or family above all else, then I will respond as they would. If I trust in myself above all else, then I will respond with my best interest in mind.
What if we trusted in something bigger than our friends, family or ourselves? What if our core character was Jesus' character? How would living in this tension look?
Let me offer this possible response. With our character patterned after Jesus, we would be able to stand in the gap of uncertainty with confidence knowing that God will help us move through the tension in a way that would do the most good for others and ultimately point to Him. After all, it was Jesus who said that we need to love God above all else and to love others second. So if at our core we are trusting in God by loving Him first, then our response in the tensions of life will be moments of Divinely inspired movement that truly put others' needs ahead of our own. We need a healthy vulnerability that moves us to action dependent on guidance from God that allows us to step out in faith knowing that He is enough in every situation. THAT is why the tension is so important. God wants us to rely on Him and to build the character of His Son, Jesus, in us so that we will be a blessing to others and live in a way that points them to Him.
My current employer is going through transition. My last employer went through similar transition. Change is going to happen whether I like it or not. I exist in that tension. Some people respond by fleeing the tension. Others take ownership of the tension. While others lash out in pain from suffering wishing the tension didn't exist but fail to recognize the opportunity for growth. I have done all three. It is in the communication of why the tension exists that unlocks my responsiveness.
Tension exists to reveal character.
Before I continue, let me clarify that what I am about to reveal to you in regard to my wrestling within this tension. It is not a "one size fits all" solution or observation. I do believe that it has implications that can be used in many circumstances. It is this "one size fits all" tension that has been predominant in my life. Once I wrap my heart and mind around revealed knowledge and truth I immediately start assuming that I need to apply this to all areas of my life. However, I believe that we are supposed to live in the tension of not having a "one size fits all" response to life's quirks but there is a pattern that emerges that can guide us.
Let's continue.
I have been really struggling with some of the biblical truths that require me to balance between the rock of truth and the hard place of grace. Yes, the mental image I just painted pairing those words together was VERY intentional. Here's why.
Truth is solid, unmovable like a rock. Truth is... well, true. Grace is a hard place because it requires putting others first and that's not easy for me. Quite honestly, in the past I have always leaned towards truthful words rather than words of grace. This is not about whether or not to be honest, we should always be honest. This is a discussion of how do I speak truthfully while living in the tension of extending grace? This is called speaking the truth in love, which is fairly difficult and this is where I have discovered the disconnect. So many times I want answers to "How do I..." or "What should I do if..." It's like I want to know the one way to handle _________ situation, relationship or conversation. However, I think the answer lies in the tension of "Well, it depends." Please understand, I am not referring to a world view where nothing is true and it is all up to individual interpretation. No. What I am expressing is that every person is not the same and that we should treat each other with respect bearing each others' personal convictions, concerns and experiences in mind when we engage each other.
So I swim in this tension of how to respond. When I am at work. When I am at home. When I am with friends. When I am with family. When I am surrounded by strangers. How can I have the confidence to know that I don't know yet still act or respond in a way that values others?
This tension tests my true character in these moments. How I respond in action or word shows who I am at my core. If living in this tension makes me vulnerable and living in his tension reveals my true character, then what I believe in or trust in the most in life determines how I respond. If I trust in my friends or family above all else, then I will respond as they would. If I trust in myself above all else, then I will respond with my best interest in mind.
What if we trusted in something bigger than our friends, family or ourselves? What if our core character was Jesus' character? How would living in this tension look?
Let me offer this possible response. With our character patterned after Jesus, we would be able to stand in the gap of uncertainty with confidence knowing that God will help us move through the tension in a way that would do the most good for others and ultimately point to Him. After all, it was Jesus who said that we need to love God above all else and to love others second. So if at our core we are trusting in God by loving Him first, then our response in the tensions of life will be moments of Divinely inspired movement that truly put others' needs ahead of our own. We need a healthy vulnerability that moves us to action dependent on guidance from God that allows us to step out in faith knowing that He is enough in every situation. THAT is why the tension is so important. God wants us to rely on Him and to build the character of His Son, Jesus, in us so that we will be a blessing to others and live in a way that points them to Him.
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composed by
dave
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