I love personality inventories. I find them useful in understanding my colleagues and my family and myself. I like to factor in my strengths and weaknesses when planning a task or event. To make up for where I lack and to leverage the ways I best contribute. I try to consider other people’s gifts and tendencies when I set expectations.
These tests help us discern that people are often one way or another.
- Introverted or Extroverted
- Adventurous or Cautious
- Competitive or Easy-Going
- Contemplative or Active
- Gentle or Firm
- Calm or Excitable
- Playful or Serious
- Subtle or Direct
Not right or wrong. Just different. And that’s a good thing. Variety is the spice of life as they say. It takes all kinds of kinds. We need artists and scientists. Executives and farmers. Mommies and soldiers. All these contrasting strengths make us better together.
But God. Oh our unfathomable God.
God is all in all. All good all together. He is not an either/or God. He is Both And. Every strength. Every benefit. Every need. Inexplicably united together in unity and diversity.
Both merciful and just. Both mighty and humble. Both fierce and gentle. Savior and shepherd. King and servant. Both and.
When our son Jake was a small boy, maybe kindergarten-aged, he told me, “Jesus is tough, mom.” I was surprised at that choice of words from him. From infancy Jake had heard the bedtime prayer “Jesus tender shepherd hear me, bless thy little lamb tonight…” I thought we had mostly spoken of Jesus as friend and king. A servant leader who is loving and gentle and wise. Tender, not tough.
I asked Jake what he meant.
“He was tough to take the nails.”
Oh my son. Yes he was. So tough. So very tough. Tender and tough. Both and.
We need a Both And God. We need both His firm grip and His tender touch. A mighty warrior and a dear friend.
I need to know He’s not helpless or hopeless in the face of so much evil and heartbreak and grief. That He will stand fiercely victorious on the battlefield and crush His enemies once and for all. That everything right and good will win and that thanks to much bloodshed, there’s an eternity of peace ahead.
I also need to know He’s not aloof or annoyed in the face of all my own personal needs. That he will stoop to wipe my tears of disappointment or loneliness. That he will reassure me when I’m insecure or melancholy or frightened. That everything will work out and because He’s for me I’m gonna be okay.
He is a Both And God. Aren’t you glad?
“And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory. So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ.”
Colossians 1:27-29 NLT
With both love and gratitude,
