Living in the Tension

I haven’t written a contemplative post in a long time. Partly because I’ve been too busy to allow for much deep thought, and partly because when I do get thinky, there’s too much and it’s too complicated. I’m not aware of it most of the time, but I still have a lot of semi-repressed anger about my divorce and related events. Not violent anger, just low-key, long-term, understandable anger that needs to be sorted out. And with it come questions and struggles. To paraphrase a friend, I’m “living in the tension” between the fact of God’s sovereignty and goodness, and the fact that we live in a fallen world. How much of the bad that happens to us is purely consequences of living in a sinful world? How do we interpret God’s choice not to swoop in and save (or, sometimes, not to provide) something that’s good and right? I can’t find the balance, but then again, maybe we’re not meant to figure it out.

This year I’ve become a big fan of Tim Keller, of Redeemer Presbyterian in NYC. I did part of his study on Mark with some women from church, and I went to see him when he spoke at a local church a few months ago (it was packed – they had to use an overflow room!). I’m also randomly working my way through the sermons available on Redeemer’s website. This morning, with these questions on my mind, I chose one called “Truth, Tears, Anger, and Grace.” It happens to be the sermon he preached on the Sunday after 9/11, and it’s the best sermon about suffering, grief, and asking why I’ve ever heard. I’ll probably listen to it again. I highly recommend it if you’re going through some stuff in your own life. Or even if you’re not!

In the recording they also read Psalm 27, which is becoming one of my favorite passages.

About Brenda

Mom to a preschooler with T1D. Paralegal. Swiftie. Xennial. Grizzlies and Tigers. Pilates and Peloton. Books and fanfic. 901 / 305 View all posts by Brenda →