A triangle in a room full of circles. The white bloom in a field full of yellow. How do we relate to the quality of our uniqueness? How do we discuss it?
“Hi, I’m a triangle,” or “Hi, I’m a little rough around the edges.”
One in the same and a world apart.
Trust is God’s learning objective, and also surrender, I believe. Otherwise, difference is too much of a curse in a culture that clings to certainty and searches for cure. Trust and surrender are common to any vocabulary but saying the words doesn’t mean you understand. The godly life we desire isn’t centered around compliance but consistent practice.
Making sense of Scripture to the point of application is solemn activity, and we accuse ourselves of confirmation bias when we merely want to know if we’re triangular or still smoothing out the rough spots. It’s not so much about finding out I’m the right shape but seeking to be in the right place. Where are all the other triangles?
Many days my thoughts disturb me, as do the questions on my heart, because I only want to talk with Jesus about them. And I don’t know Jesus to provide the obvious answer but pose another question and shift my perspective without judging me for wondering or wanting to figure out what is too wonderful for me to understand. The answers don’t satisfy as much as the peaceful, calm assurance of walking in God’s will. Then it doesn’t matter if we say we’re triangles or circles or opal-toned roses because we are His children following the one Way that does matter.
For Jesus’ last lecture, so to speak, He chose a metaphor: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
It’s visual and literal. The vine supplies everything. The branches’ work is to participate. To bear fruit. To do as the source guides. It’s so basic and simple the world complicates, distorts, and disrupts our connection to the vine.
Trust the Vine. Surrender to its flow. Then our questions change, and we see it’s not about finding the room for the triangles or circles, or figuring out the color of the blooms, because God says you are My building and you are My field.
What do you think?
