Bending reality is similar to the idea of doing the impossible. It has also a connotation related to faith.
In 1 Corinthians 15:1-10, it says, “Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. Whether, then, it is I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed.”
Based from the passage above, there are principles that we can apply in order to bend reality.
Clarity over Creativity
Paul was clear of his purpose as an apostle. His intention is to preach the good news of Jesus Christ.
One of the ways to bend reality is to have a clear purpose.
Related post: Clarity of Purpose
Character over Credentials
Paul’s credential is the title as an apostle. He has been the greatest missionary during the apostolic church. But he said, “I am the least of the apostle.” That statement is an indication that a title or an office does not matter.
An Indian proverb says, “When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice.”
Grace over Grind
Paul says in verse 10, “…I work harder than all of them, yet not I, but by the grace of God…”
The principle of working hard applies universally. Paul believed and applied it. But ultimately, he always relied by the grace of God.
