I know I haven't been around that long, but the more I experience life, the more I recognize the beauty of the paradoxical situation that we live in. Here we are, a bunch of imperfect mortal people, putting forth our imperfect mortal effort, creating imperfect mortal situations, in an effort to become perfect immortal beings. Given our circumstances, it's a miracle that the everyday aspects of life turn out as well as they do. However, the fact that not only survival, but change and improvement are possible - that is the real miracle. How that happens, by what force change is made possible, is a life-altering truth and I feel that the discovery of truth of that magnitude should be a sacred and personal experience. But regardless of how it happens, it does happen. People change, reputations are restored, and true character is established. Somehow, all of our ragtag efforts and failed attempts lead to success. An unexpected, yet timely quote from Jane Austin's hero, Mr. Knightly, comes to mind: "Maybe it is our imperfections that make us so perfect for one another." - And so it is.
One of my favorite quotes from the LDS cannon talks about how, if we are humble, God will make weak things become strong to us. Never, until this last weekend when I was talking to a friend, did I realize that God didn't say "I will change your weakness into strengths." He deliberately stated that he would "make weak things become strong." Consider the following anomalies:
"If he hath not charity, he is nothing. Wherefore, cleave unto charity which is the greatest of all for all things must fail but charity endureth forever."
- Moroni, Sole survivor of genocide
"Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy."
- Beethoven, deaf man
"[Physical] intimacy is a beautiful manifestation of two people being connected in a truly vulnerable, intimate manner because they love each other profoundly. It is beautiful and rich and fulfilling and spiritual and amazing. The circumstances of our marriage allowed us to build a relationship that is based on everything partners should want: intimacy, communication, genuine love and affection."
- Josh Weed, Heterosexually-married Gay Mormon
"It is terrible to see and have no vision. I can see, and that is why I can be happy. I can see a God-made world."
- Helen Keller, blind woman
"I was very much afraid."
- Joan of Arc, military commander of thousands, nineteen-year-old martyr
Notice that in every one of those circumstances, God did not take away the individual's weakness. He didn't even change the weakness into something "stronger." God made the weak things become strong unto His children.
Sometimes it is our fear that forces us to take action. Sometimes it is the darkness that demands we take a step towards the light. Sometimes it is only in the silence that we can hear the voice of God.
Would Helen Keller have been able to see a heaven-made world had not her eyes been darkend? Would Josh understand the power of true intimacy if he had been distracted by physical passion? Would Moroni have known so much about love if it had never been tested?
Turns out there is no certain answer, only the choice of faith. Turns out that in the end, it is not our strengths that will get us to heaven, it is our weaknesses. And that my friends, is what I call some serious irony.
Sometimes it is our fear that forces us to take action. Sometimes it is the darkness that demands we take a step towards the light. Sometimes it is only in the silence that we can hear the voice of God.
Would Helen Keller have been able to see a heaven-made world had not her eyes been darkend? Would Josh understand the power of true intimacy if he had been distracted by physical passion? Would Moroni have known so much about love if it had never been tested?
Turns out there is no certain answer, only the choice of faith. Turns out that in the end, it is not our strengths that will get us to heaven, it is our weaknesses. And that my friends, is what I call some serious irony.
