The Tension of the “Both…And”
A 2024 reflection...
Life is a paradox. It often asks us to hold two seemingly opposite realities at the same time. The joys and the sorrows. The victories and the challenges. The “both…and.”
This reality became even more real for me during one of the best years of my life. Ministry was flourishing—impacting lives on a larger scale than ever before. Business has been thriving with exciting new opportunities. My family is in a great place. On every front, as I frequently tell my good friend—the window of opportunity is open and the winds of favor are blowing!
Yet, it was in the midst of all this good that I experienced the worst moment of my life—a sickle cell crisis so severe it nearly killed me. The pain was indescribable, the fear was suffocating, and the shadow of death was dark.
This was literally one of the best, worst years of my life!
This tension—the coexistence of joy and suffering—is not unique to me. It’s part of the human experience. One of my favorite reflections these last few months has been Psalm 23, where the tension is clear: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil… Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life.”
Experiencing the valley of the shadow of death did not exempt David from a life shaped by goodness and mercy.
The valley and the grace.
The shadow and the goodness.
Both can exist at the same time.
Living in the “both…and” is not easy. It requires us to accept that our pain does not cancel out our joy, and our joy does not erase our pain. It’s a reminder that God’s presence is with us in every moment—His grace upholds us in the valley, and His mercy follows us on the mountaintop.
So, if you find yourself walking in this tension, remember: it is possible to thrive and to hurt at the same time. There is beauty in holding both, for it’s in this tension that we often discover the depth of God’s grace and the resilience of our souls.
This was longer than I intended, but I hope it blesses someone.
God is good.
If this reflection resonates with you, I invite you to join me on this journey. Rich Insights is my space to explore the “both…and” moments of life—where the struggles and victories collide, where grace and growth emerge. Through this newsletter I’ll be sharing highlights, insights and ideas to ignite passion in your hearts!
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