(06.21.21– A Faith That Feels!--Ecclesiastes 3:5)
My friend, may I ask you a question? Does keeping our relationships with one another fresh and fulfilling exclude touch? In a society so fearful of touch, it almost seems so like that’s the only way to do it?
My friend, Life’s a story, welcome to This Passing Day.
I'm M. Clifford Brunner.
Years ago I attended a political rally with a young friend who was interested in getting into politics. We witnessed a rousing campaign speech in the midst of a closely packed crowd. And, when victory was promised and the candidate again made his way to the bus, there were hugs and kisses among campaign workers and the candidate. As the bus pulled away I turned to my friend and remarked how great it was that everyone felt so free to let their hair down and actually touch one another. He remarked, "Yes! But the youth club I belong to recently adopted a N.T.P. policy. When I asked what the policy was, he said: "A no touch policy. We're not allowed to show emotion in any way that involves touch."
"We're not allowed to touch!" Those words really struck me. Unfortunately, we live in a society where it's the norm as opposed to the exception. It also struck me as to how hard it would be for me personally to remove all the hugs that I've ever given to friends in friendship or to the sorrowful in need. If we succeed in removing all intimacy from our social relationships, how strong can those relationships really be?
Here's a story: The University of Northern Iowa once offered a general art course that included a most unusual exercise. The teacher brought to class a shopping bag filled with lemons and gave a lemon to each class member. The assignment was for the student to keep his lemon with him day and night--smelling, handling, examining it. Next class period, with- out warning, students were told to put their lemons back in the bag. Then each was asked to find his lemon. Surprisingly, most did so without difficulty. Without intimate relationships, the task would have been near impossible. (Source Unknown)
Does keeping our relationships with one another fresh and fulfilling exclude touch? In a society so fearful of touch, it almost seems so. The Bible tells us that there is a "time to embrace and a time to refrain" (Ecclesiastes 3:5). Could it be that God himself is grieved when those He has personally touched with His love, refrain from touching one another? Could it also be that by removing intimacy, we remove the surest way of knowing who our friends really are?
We pray. Heavenly Father, is it right to believe that we ought to live in a society that rightfully tells us that to keep our relationships with one another fresh and fulfilling we need to exclude touch? You tell us that there is a "time to embrace and a time to refrain" (Ecclesiastes 3:5). Could it be that You yourself are grieved when those you have personally touched with Your love, refrain from touching one another? Could it also be that by removing intimacy, we remove the surest way of knowing who our friends really are. Forgive us Lord when even for a minute we put such foolish thoughts ahead of Your command to touch one another in order to give one another the love that You built into every human relationship. In Jesus name we pray. Amen!
Therefore my friend, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry for itself; each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matt 6:34) This Passing Day. May this passing day honor our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and be a blessing to you and everyone you meet. Find a stranger and say hello. Don't let another day pass without your day blessing someone else.
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<thispassingday@gmail.com> From Beech Springs, God bless you for Jesus sake.