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Breaking Enigma or Embracing It?

2/10/2015

4 Comments

 
It’s been one year.  It’s been a year of walking, talking, growing, sharing, laughing, crying and praying with three amazing women.  We call it a mentor group, but it’s so much more.  People use words like “awesome, great and amazing” so often, but these are understatements when describing the gift of this year.  It’s rare to find people you trust enough to lean into the mystery of faith and life and share your ugliest and brightest, and know with certainty they won’t run from either.  They won’t run from your darkness and they won’t be intimated by your light.  Instead they’ll embrace you and celebrate you and hold up your arms when you grow weary. 
 
Have I sold you on mentoring?  Great!  (Totally not my point.)  Instead, I make a case for mystery.  

Life is full of mystery – the fear of the unknown can hold us back so often.  However, Jesus embodies mystery.  This can be beautiful and let’s face it; this can be frustrating.  We like order, known-ness and clarity.  But can we freefall into mystery and become friends with ambiguity?  Do we have a choice?  Of course we do, but perhaps we’ll breathe a little easier when we shake hands with the enigmatic. 

Have you ever stood before a mountain range more powerful and more magnificent than you?  Do you seek to understand it’s greatness or do you embrace the climb?  Have you stood on a stretch of sand breathing in the salty breeze?  Do you dare to understand the ocean’s pull on your soul or do you marvel at the gentle calm and raging power of the sea? 

Is the mystery of Christ in me any different?  Mystery and victory go together, just ask Jesus.  There is no time for sleep in the ocean of mystery for transformation is but a wink away.  To resist mystery is a prison of our own making. 

Picture
Lean into the mystery
Jump in

In the depths of the unknown
We find ourselves intimately known
We are named
Again and again Grace calls out


Who am I to dance in delight and tinker with desire?
Beckoned into a vast sea stirring with power
Mercy on the surface and strength below  
Stillness covers a raging war

Mystery wreaks havoc within
It’s the kindest act of mercy
Lonely soul jolted with truth
Smooth out wrinkles in my twisted breath

Boundless tenderness and strength

Tug and pull this heart of mine
Awaken and jump, Dearest One

The mystery flirts and flits before you.

Soaked full             
I press deeper into the mystery

Picture
And then I asked Him, “Lord, what do you want me to learn about you and your mystery?”

My heart already knew the answer while my head was catching up.  He reminded me of truths I learned in a little prayer room warmed by the sun and by the love of a woman after God’s own heart. 

I can rest in His mystery and be at ease in the unknown.  I can rejoice in uncertainty because He holds my heart close.  I can delight and be delighted in – that is the measure of joy in embracing the risk of mystery.  There is no end to the unknown – it’s the only thing that’s certain.  When did we become obsessed with safety?  There is no celebration in risk-less living.  The call is to step out, to jump into the mystery of daring to be known in certain unknown-ness.  

When was the last time you jumped? 
Picture
In Cambodia with beautiful people who taught me to love deeply and risk greatly - for there is great healing in love and risk. They know nothing but mystery, and that is a sweet and daring place to be.
4 Comments
Jeannie Martin
2/10/2015 04:58:55 am

"Our trust does not bring final clarity on this earth. It does not still the chaos or dull the pain or provide a crutch. When all else is unclear, the heart of trust says, as Jesus did on the cross, 'Into your hands I commit my spirit.'" Brennan Manning, Ruthless Trust

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Esther
2/10/2015 06:37:52 am

I love this quote Jeannie!

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Aleisha Butler link
2/10/2015 09:55:19 pm

I love this line: "To resist mystery is a prison of our own making." So often I feel like the opposite it true. I think, "If could just hear God audibly tell me what to do then I would be free to trust." But without trusting I risk missing the blessing of the risk. The greatest blessing, of course, is a deeper relationship with the Lord. So thankful for grace!
I really had to let your words sink in...I think that is a good thing. It didn't start becoming clear until after my coffee this morning. Very deep and very good!

Reply
Esther
2/11/2015 01:20:19 am

I have felt the opposite so many times too! Such great thoughts!

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    Esther

    I love storytelling, adventuring and making memories with my favorite people. 


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