Divine Paradox: The Struggle Between Destiny and Freedom
Every time we delve into questions of God, a profound internal conflict inherent in the very essence of being presents itself. On one hand, there is an undeniable sense of belonging to a higher reality—a reflection of a purpose that gives our lives meaning. On the other, there is a striving for absolute freedom, a desire to assert one’s individuality and become the creator of one’s own destiny. It is this paradox, the eternal intertwining of the divine and untamed freedom, that creates a dynamic tension in our thoughts and words. Reflections on God become a forum for clashing ideas: the imagined closeness to the ultimate source versus a thirst for independence. This inner struggle not only mirrors the complexity of human nature but also drives us to seek balance between submitting to a higher order and the aspiration to be ourselves. Within each of us lies the potential for spiritual growth through the understanding and reconciliation of these conflicting forces.
Why does the discussion of God often come with contradictory views, and how does this reflect the complexity of human nature and faith?The discussion of God often accompanies contradictory views because the concept of God touches upon the deepest aspects of human existence, including the inner duality of man. On one hand, it is believed that we are created in the image of a higher reality—a reflection of God’s design. On the other, humans possess innate freedom, striving to assert themselves and defend their individuality. This duality leads to an inner conflict, through which contradictory positions surface in our words and reflections on God.For instance, the author simultaneously expresses recognition of God’s supreme reality and the desire to assert personal freedom, stating: "I do not deny God; but I, as a human, am also a god, and I want to be independent" – that was the essence of my experiences... (source: link txt).Moreover, it is precisely the combination of two principles—freedom and the embodiment of a divine plan—that creates an insoluble contradiction in human nature. As noted in another excerpt: "In man there is a principle of freedom, an original, unconstrained freedom, and there is a principle defined by the fact that he is the image and likeness of God, God’s idea" (source: link txt).Thus, the complexity of human nature and the depth of faith are mirrored in the constant clash of these two impulses: the striving toward the absolute personified by God and the unyielding freedom that compels man to act as the independent creator of his own destiny. This explains why the discussion of God inevitably gives rise to contradictory views – they reflect the internal battle between resistance and submission, between freedom and dependence on a higher reality.