Opposites

Caleb and Chiara are seventeen months apart in age and yes, that was intentional. In the past two years, they have become so much like twins that whenever we are out and about I am often asked if they are. As much as they are two peas in a pod, they could not be more different. Aside from the obvious differences in their gender and skin tone, there are many interesting little opposites between them. Caleb doesn’t eat meat, any meat, any day, no matter how you may try to convince or even bribe him. From his first birthday, he made it very clear to us that he did not like meat and has stuck to his guns ever since. He loves vegetables and fruit and is happiest with things like beans, sashilad greens, cucumbers, mangoes and strawberries. My darling girl on the other hand…. Chiara loves meat and from the time she had teeth in her mouth, she hasn’t been shy about letting us know how much. Chicken is her favourite but she enjoys sausage, meatballs and steak. She hates fruits and vegetables so much that she refuses to even touch fruit and will sometimes ask to sit away from her brother when he enjoys a bowl of fruit because she says she can’t stand the smell. What?! Yes, this is the madness in my home folks. When she was two, her class teacher at the time made it her life’s mission to get Chiara to eat her fruits during break time, this never ended well. I really should have received a bill from her for her therapy needs after that “extra” ordeal. Caleb is careful, and thoughtful and enjoys passionately correcting his sister because he is almost always right. Chiara is loud and adventurous and is happy to follow her brother’s lead if he doesn’t hinder her from speaking her mind and making songs or stories up on the fly which happens quite often. Our days are filled with as many moments of comradery between them as they are shouting matches. The switches are swift often giving us whiplash and leaving us feeling more like referees than parents, then again, maybe that’s the gig.

Despite their contrasts and contradictions, they are as thick as thieves and united in their purpose to give one another affection, support and laughs. They are committed to playing with one another even on days when they want to pull one another’s hair out because they both lead with their hearts. As you can imagine, the car ride conversations, discipline and homework time can be an ear full, and sometimes feel like a whole workout. What wonderful contrasts and contradictions do you have in your life? How do those differences keep you on your toes and help you stay reliant on the Holy Spirit? I have quite a few, many from within myself, and I recognise that without them, life wouldn’t be as balanced or fulfilling as it is.

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” ~ 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)

Our lives are woven with threads of contrasts and contradictions. From the battle between light and darkness to the struggle of good versus evil, these opposing forces shape the very essence of our existence. During these struggles, we find ourselves grappling with various dichotomies, many from deep within ourselves, and I am ever so grateful that the Bible is full of stories and situations that speak to this nature of our human experience. When I was grieving the loss of our second baby, I became very aware of the dance of dichotomy between faith and fear that was taking place in my heart. Could I truly trust that God desired to heal my heart? What did His love for my soul even mean? Would I be able to push past the fear and was I even supposed to? I don’t know what fears you may be fighting against today, but I am certain that God has better for you if you could just trade that fear in. In for what? Well, God has three amazing things He desires to trade in if you can muster up the faith and place it in Him.

Choice vs. Obligation

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power…”

Our Heavenly Father was so intentional when He designed our human experience to be marked by the radical gift of choice. We are not mere automatons, bound by fate or circumstance. We are also not slaves to our God, created to do His will whether we like it or not. No, we are His children and the choice is ours whether we respond to His affections with our own in return. God made it so that we would possess the power to make choices that shape our lives. In the face of fear and uncertainty, we can choose courage and strength. The words apostle Paul spoke to Timothy remind us that God’s gift to us is not a spirit of fear, but one of power. This power is built into our ability to exercise free will. Fear makes it so we believe we have no choice but to bend to the weight of its voice. It speaks too loudly, forcing us into paths we might not have chosen for ourselves. But when we understand the distinction between choice and obligation, we can transform our perspective. By embracing the power within us, we can approach challenges with the confidence that we can overcome them. Every decision we make is a reminder of God’s radical love for us, highlighting, in bold, that even in the face of fear and adversity… we get to choose.

Truth vs. Lies

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but… of love…”

Love and truth are undeniably intertwined because God is love and there is no falsehood in Him. Love is the force that drives us to seek truth and authenticity, both within ourselves and in our relationships with others. These days deception has become such a standard yet no matter how bad it gets; the pursuit of truth remains a beacon of light that guides us through the darkness of deceit. I don’t know about you but the darker the world becomes the more I’m encouraged to embrace God’s love for me as a counterbalance to fear. God’s love compels us to be honest with ourselves and with those around us. His love empowers us to reject lies’ allure and walk in the freedom of transparency and vulnerability. By nurturing a spirit of love, we can create spaces where authenticity flourishes, fostering deeper connections and genuine understanding with other image-bearers of God. Whenever I have been at my lowest, weighed down by fear, God’s love for me is what has lifted my head and reminded me who I am even in the face of some very ugly giants. I know for certain that He longs for you to lay your fears at His feet so He can do the same for you.

Clarity vs. Anxiety

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but… of a sound mind.”

Anxiety is a formidable opponent, capable of clouding our thoughts and distorting our perception of reality. I believe we have all had situations that have brought on some level of anxiety and we can attest that the scenarios that are sometimes created in our minds can be quite legendary, to say the least. In contrast, a sound mind is a gift that enables us to approach life with clarity and discernment. A mind untethered by fear and anxiety is free to explore possibilities and navigate challenges with wisdom. When we shut down the noise anxiety brings, we can hear the voice of our Helper. As His whispers echo within, peace washes over us and we are steadied, back on the sound foundation that is Him. What a gift! Then as if that wasn’t enough, this inner clarity allows us to make decisions from a place of stillness rather than from the turmoil of fear.

In all this, I have learned, and seen evidence in my own life, that life is a delicate balance between opposing forces. A dance of dichotomies between light and darkness, joy and sorrow, life and death, pain and purpose, but it is through the interplay of these opposites that we find depth, meaning, and growth. So, I encourage you to embrace your power of choice, pursue truth through love, and nurture a sound mind that outdoes anxiety even on its best day. Fear is not your portion. Your portion of power, love, and a sound mind are all reminders of God’s radical love for you.