Almost everyone I’ve crossed paths with in the past month has revealed in some way their desperate need for the substance and sentiment of the following quotation:

“And yet I decide, every day, to set aside what I can do best and attempt what I do very clumsily–open myself to the frustrations and failures of loving, daring to believe that failing in love is better than succeeding in pride.”

― Eugene H. Peterson, A Long Obedience in the Same Direction: Discipleship in an Instant Society

The sentiment of this quote strikes a primary chord in my soul …a chord which is regularly entangled with dissonant chords of fear, anxiety, apathy, bitterness, hopelessness, cynicism, self-loathing, and guilt. This quotation reminds me that vulnerability and the vitriol of others is inevitable, but the security and love of Jesus overshadows my frailty and overrules the voice of the accuser. And the epicenter of this freedom is found in the exclusive and enigmatic fact that Jesus treasures me. This is what my heart cries for more than anything. The cry to be unconditionally wanted and prized. Perhaps some lesser versions of being wanted shall be available and enjoyed in my marriage, family, and community from time-to-time; but none of those can be fundamentally relied upon. The foundation, framework, and fuel for making the daily decision to set aside what I can do best in order to attempt what I do very clumsily comes from Christ alone.