The Second

Paradox lies at the heart of the most meaningful truths.   For example, “Pray as though everything depends on God; behave as though everything depends on you.” I’ve seen this attributed to Christian and to Jewish sources, and I dare to think the concept lives in the repositories of wisdom in many other places. It can be helpful to see paradox as lopping off extremes.   For example, part of the above quote warns against using God’s sovereignty as an excuse for indifference.   But it also warns against the opposite extreme of complete self reliance, as though nothing gets done without you!   Cutting those out clears the conceptual stage, creating space that can then be filled with any number of good ways to rely on the Lord proactively. What are some of these ways?   I smile to remember examples that others have shared with me.   Each one that comes to mind can be ambiguously interpreted.   For example, my own history includes three distinct e...

Daily activities, responsibilities, and incidents are enough to wear a person down.   Humor, therefore, brings a little grace into the mix.   It's the proverbial oil that lubricates the machine, preventing it from overheating.   Some humor, like sarcasm, can be more a relief valve than a lubricant.   If a lot of friction has already heated things, a sarcastic expostulation can awaken the need for some needed sympathy, forestalling a meltdown.   So sarcasm is necessary but should be used judiciously.   In other words, not all brands of humor "lubricate the machine."   One in particular actually increases friction, namely mockery, sarcasm’s near cousin. One who easily mocks goes directly to my "do not trust" list.   Mockery is a strong indicator of poor character.   We know it when we see it, parody that highlights what the mocker thinks stupid, weak, or contemptible.   This is such an undignified way on many levels.   For one, ...