The Paradox of the Upward Way: 

The Paradox of the Upward Way: 

We’ve all been there. Striving, reaching, pouring our hearts into something, only to feel like we’re slipping backward. Despite our best efforts to climb higher, we find ourselves descending. Dismay can creep in, whispering doubts and questioning our purpose. But what if this feeling of falling is actually part of a greater, divine design?

The Christian path often presents us with paradoxical truths, truths that seem contradictory on the surface but hold profound spiritual wisdom. It’s a journey where the way up is down, where over is under, and where success is often born from the ashes of failure.

Think about it:

• Success through Failure: How many times have we learned more from our mistakes than our triumphs? Failure, though painful, can be a crucible forging resilience, humility, and a deeper understanding of ourselves and our purpose.
• Prosperity through Spiritual Bankruptcy: When we come to the end of ourselves, acknowledging our spiritual poverty, we open ourselves to true abundance. It’s in emptying ourselves that we can be filled with God’s grace and blessings.
• Riches through Poverty: The pursuit of material wealth often leaves us empty. True riches lie in our relationship with God, in the treasures of faith, hope, and love – gifts that no earthly currency can buy.
• Victory through Defeat: The greatest victories are often won in the quiet moments of surrender. When we surrender our will to God’s, we find a strength that transcends our own.
• Life through Death: This is the ultimate paradox, the heart of the Christian faith. Just as a seed must die to bring forth new life, so too must we die to ourselves, to our pride and self-reliance, to truly live in Christ.

This paradoxical path isn’t some cruel cosmic joke. It’s a pattern established by the ultimate example: Jesus Christ. Philippians 2:5-9 paints a vivid picture of this downward ascent to ultimate exaltation. Jesus, equal to God, didn’t cling to that status. He humbled himself, becoming a servant, obedient even unto death – the death of the cross. This seemingly downward spiral was the very path that led to his glorious exaltation.

The “upward call” for Jesus involved going lower and lower, all the way to the cross. This should give us pause. When we feel like we’re sinking, when our efforts seem to be in vain, perhaps we’re actually being led closer to the heart of God’s plan. Perhaps the “downward” path is the very one that will lead us to true and lasting life.

So, the next time you feel dismayed by the feeling of slipping, remember the paradox of the upward way. Remember the example of Jesus. Embrace the humility of the journey, trust in the divine plan, and allow God to work in and through your perceived “failures” and “descents.” For it is in these moments that we often discover the true meaning of the upward call.