I didn’t think about that

People wonder why I have such an

unhealthy obsession with

human suffering and frailty,

as if there were some other mystery,

some other unfathomable principle in the universe

more puzzling, infuriating, and crucial

to the human experience.

“Tell me,” I ask,

with some trace of smugness,

“What drives the human spirit more,

reaches out to the heart of the divine

and the depths of hell,

what creates a more genuine sentiment

than the paradox of pain?”

 

And how can one word be more disarming,

more flabbergasting to all the carefully

worded philosophical rhetoric of my life

than this:

“Joy.”

?

Somehow, I never imagined that the pursuit

of one could lead to the other in such

a profound,

mystical,

and

deliciously

perfect

way.

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” – James 1


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2 responses to “I didn’t think about that”

  1.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    i once read that when one has put an end to sorrow, one is left with abiding joy. thus one’s motivation to escape pain and suffering is in fact one’s motivation to attain a state of joy, whether or not he is aware of it. makes sense intellectually, but unfortunately, i have yet to experience this at a deeper level.

    very thought-provoking post, as usual.

  2.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    paradox indeed.  Working, exercising, looking for love, having babies–suffering and joy.

    I really like the way this was written–in a “deliciously perfect way” lol.

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