The Pebble, the Jewel

I keep remembering that I am the very image of God, yet that image is a shattered mirror. Who dropped it? Not God. Must have been me. Sin is very real, yet our nature is divine love.

There is a Jewish parable from the Talmud I have always appreciated. A Rabbi carried a jewel in one pocket and a pebble in the other. He said, "This jewel is to remind me that I am the image of God, and this stone is to remind me that 'I am a worm, and not even a man' (Psalm 22.6). Whenever I feel pride I touch the pebble. Whenever I feel weak I touch the jewel."

Dear friend, let us dwell in paradox.