The world can be a lonely place, even with people around us. As a matter of fact, during my tenure as a Chaplain, I heard countless men and women who through their journey of life and even nearing their death had a sense of aloneness.
What is the consideration here?
Am I known as I desire to be known? When we find a person we can be our honest selves with, we have a beautiful gift. We hear the word “safe” these days, but safety is hard to come by. It’s a place where pretense is low or nonexistent. It’s a place of vulnerability and openness without the fear of judgment, being fixed, or being criticized. We can dilute our relationships with shoulds, & should nots, self-imposed ideas, false expectations, or titles that suffocate our authentic selves keeping others at a distance, including God. Although this dilution “feels” safe, we miss out on the nutrients of deep interaction and acceptance that cultivates life within. We can’t have deep relationships with everyone, but we all need some. This type of relationship takes time, trust building with empathic listening, it is an investment for both parties. This atmosphere fosters my authentic self to thrive with another with silence, laughter may be, and even times, tears. This is where true transformation takes place. Our relationships have a history and can be scary, but the absence of in-depth relationships leaves us in a humdrum of existence. We were created for relationships. The first in-depth invite is from the One who knows us, created us, and longs for us, yes, longs for us. I once heard it said, that when we come together as we are, we begin to rise again, to believe again, to hope again, and to live again.
“Look at me. I stand at the door. I knock. If you hear me call and open the door, I’ll come right in and sit down to supper with you.” Rev. 3:20 Message
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