Hey everybody, this is Aubrey Chavez from Faith Matters. Today we're bringing you a really special episode that we recorded live from our restore gathering, where we were joined by Jared Halverson.

Jared, who has become a familiar voice to many of us here, spoke on what he calls contraries or paradoxes that are inherent in life of faith.

His message felt like such a breath of fresh air and especially timely.

He offers the powerful image of the cross as a symbol of wholeness in our discipleship.

One axis reaches vertically representing our connection to God,

while the horizontal beam represents the love and care that we extend outward to embrace those around us.

True discipleship, Jared explains, is this center point. It requires both beams. It's a deep grounding in God that inspires us to reach out in love to others. And so in this

election week, Jared's session is feeling like an invitation to love our neighbor. He boldly reminds us

that means matter, that being right with God doesn't justify being wrong with other people.

So rather than allowing our differences to create distance, he challenges us to see the ways that truth is found in the tension of the paradox.

This both and approach allows us to see each other more fully and generously, creating connection that transcends our differences and reflects God's love.

We are so grateful to Jared for his wisdom, and we really hope that this message

helps you feel connected and inspired this week.

And with that, we'll hand it over to Jared Halverson at Restore.

First of all, applause is really weird for me.

I am the most average Joe, normal nobody, and I honestly feel so out of my league.

I'm an introvert that the Lord keeps pushing out of his comfort zone.

And as a result, here I am.

But I feel like I'm surrounded by friends, and I'm grateful for that.

Honestly, last year, oh, that's applause for you.

You guys deserve that applause.

The fact that you would come and come and be blessed, come and be pushed,

...