Favorite Quotes
“If growing up is painful for the Southern Black girl, being aware of her displacement is the rust on the razor that threatens the throat. It is an unnecessary insult.”
"Be the change you wish to see in the world."
“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.”
"...I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you; we are in charge of our attitudes."
“There is nothing more rare, nor more beautiful, than a woman being unapologetically herself; comfortable in her perfect imperfection. To me, that is the true essence of beauty.”
“Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.”
Saturday, August 20, 2022
08/18/2022: Acceptance
And going a little farther he [Jesus] fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” Matthew 26:39 ESV
I've been thinking a lot about "nevertheless...thy will be done." Throughout my life I was taught that this is the place of surrender I should aim to live in. It always felt impossible to me, a reminder that I certainly lacked faith. In my most difficult moments, I am not like Jesus or Job or any of the champions of acceptance at all.
I don't lead with "nevertheless."
I lead with why.
I could deny/hide my human need to question and understand. What would be the point? I was also taught that God knows my heart and thoughts. If I am questioning; if you are questioning, surely, He knows.
Perhaps, this will read sacrilegious, but I am not Jesus. Jesus, as Christians understand Him, is fully man and fully God. This means that He possess all knowledge. He knows the end from the beginning. He had a certainty that mere humans, who only "know in part" (1 Corinthians 13:12), may never have on this side of Heaven.
Perhaps, this is not biblically sound thinking, but questioning (asking questions/wanting to understand) is human. If we are made in God's image, intellect is also divine. So, I would argue that we are neither wrong nor lacking faith when we ask why. Perhaps, the greatest show of faith is questioning, not receiving your answers, and choosing to believe anyways.
For those of us not at "nevertheless," let's give ourselves a little more grace.