Intimacy. No, I'm not talking about sex, though that's a common association of the word. I'm talking more like the close personal connection between people. Like when you can speak freely and relax around someone because you know you can entrust yourself to them, and they to you. It's the feeling that you really aren't alone in the world when you're with someone. Someone to laugh with, speak to, listen to you, share life with... Intimacy is nice...
From a spiritual perspective, I believe that every person longs to be known, to have that connection with others, but all the stresses, hurts, pressures, insecurities, and mechanisms we build up to protect ourselves also in turn keep us from connecting with others. And in a way some of these things are good, considering that it would be unwise to entrust oneself to someone who cannot handle it.
I find it amusing that God would put us on this earth and design us for relationship with Him and each other, knowing full well that our imperfections can and will eventually cause friction between us. I recall the scriptures that ask us to be patient to one another and to bear with one another in love. Now that's a tall order, especially when I think about who and what I have to deal with on a regular basis: officiating events at comic book shops with teenagers, children and manchildren fighting for my undivided attention, trying to be nice to customers on the phone, dealing with family members, people, among many other things...
Relationships have a price. Someone I look up to says this, and I paraphrase, "Everyone comes with their own [nonsense]. You just have to decide what [nonsense] you're willing to deal with." Of course he used another more colorful word than "nonsense."
When I think of this, I wonder how much weight I carry and I am filled with gratitude for the people in my life who have carried me, even in moments when I have been heavier than others. Such was the case yesterday when after the weight of my day, it was nice to just pick up the phone and talk to close friends. When I was done, I felt rejuvenated and restored.
I also think of the moments when I was able to lend a helping hand to a friend going through a hard time, or when I was able to be the listening ear or the positive company. Some days I also don't feel like listening to people's problems, but I do it anyway because I care about them. But some days, I can't handle people and cannot be the friend that they need. And some days, I'd rather not talk to anyone.
Of course, as we have human limitations, I also recognize that there are some issues in life that no amount of human contact can handle. Also, some days, I have found that there really is no one to carry my weight when I am weak. But in those moments, I am reminded of the goodness of the God that I believe in.
For He says that we can cast our burdens upon Him because He cares for us. That even when no one wants to listen to my [nonsense], I can still approach God with confidence and throw myself at Him like a child jumps into his father's arms, knowing full well that he will catch me.
He is able to carry the full weight of who we are: every worry that tries to drag us down, every sin and every regret... He is our friend who sticks closer than a brother. That the God of the universe would call us, His creations, friends is a fascinating concept that I would love to meditate on more.
Summary of thoughts:
1. We are made for intimacy with God and others.
2. We are to bear with one another in love.
3. We can trust God to care for us.
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