the principle of contrast

January 21, 2005

thought for the day: the principle of contrast. in order for differentiation to best occur between two objects/items/people, the largest possible contrast is required. in design, to create hierarchy in the piece, you use the principle of contrast. for example, just say you wanted to differentiate the importance in body text and headers. you'd do one of the following things: use a bigger type size for the header, or use a heavier weight (i.e. bold, black), or use a different typeface altogether.

God's strength is made perfect when we are weak (2 cor 12:9). have you ever wondered why that is so? i've been thinking about it since sunday and my explanation for it is this: the demonstration of His strength is most evident when we are the weakest. it's the principle of contrast! this dawned on me in the pool yesterday morning.

perhaps God allows us to sink into these abyss-like stages of life, so that when He shows up, we're floored by His awesome grace and power. we get to experience the fullness of who He is in our dark hour. maybe it's for our benefit after all? when we feel that we are strong, how can we see God's mighty hand? would we see just how powerful He is? there's very little contrast between strong and strongest. there's HUGE contrast between weakest and strongest though.

for most of us, we walk around life with our blinders on, caught up in all our own stuff, distracted by the many voices in this world and hardly ever listening for the still small voice of God. it may take something big, something huge to get our attention. humans best learn by experience. i don't think anyone would disagree with me on that. because God loves us, He does what's best for us. that means He also allows certain things to happen in our lives too. a good parent doesn't shelter their child from all the potentially harmful things in life. their child wouldn't learn anything like that. God, being the best parent in the universe doesn't do this either. if He did, we wouldn't learn anything in the process. thus, it's necessary for us to experience this principle of contrast at times.

one group of people that experience the fullness and richness of the mercy of God's love and forgiveness the most, are prisoners. in society's eyes, they are the most depraved, the most wicked, the most unlovable and unforgivable people. for them to learn of such an incredible truth and experience it personally is huge! could you imagine what it's like for them? it's the principle of contrast! the most depraved receiving the most grace (grace is always full on, so it's always the most. grace does not decrease in power/measure).

so what does this all mean? if you've been affected by the principle of contrasts in your life (and if you haven't you will), remember that the new day is coming. the sun will shine again. when you feel like you don't have the strength to go on, and when everything seems to be the lowest, remember that God's steadfast hand is right there. you will experience Him in all His fullness, mercy, grace and love. God is not out to make our life difficult, and He's certainly not out to abandon us. but He is calling you to a life that worships and glorifies Him. while that life may be hard, it's for the best because He knows what's best. He loves you. He sent His only Son for you.

therefore, i urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship" - romans 12:1 [NIV]

Posted by Leo Chan at January 21, 2005 12:48 PM