Amongst Us

John 1:14-18 "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John testified concerning him and exclaimed, “This was the one of whom I said, ‘The one coming after me ranks ahead of me, because he existed before me.’”) Indeed, we have all received grace upon grace from his fullness, for the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. The one and only Son, who is himself God and is at the Father’s side —he has revealed him."
Actual physical contact and proximity is connecting.  That seems a little redundant.  It is possible but difficult to be disconnect from those you are near or touching.  I have volunteered in youth ministry for 25 years now.  In that time I have seen numerous visitors to different meetings.  I have been know to say to visitors who already feel awkward to “get in up here amongst us”.  It actual makes an awkward situation less awkward by the visitor finding connection by being physically close.
The Lord gave us the wonderful gift of his boundless grace through his Son.  Rather than giving us this amazing gift at a distance he came close.  He “got up in here amongst us”.  Jesus put on our flesh to dwell with us in an intimate way so that we could connect with him.  That is how he brought his grace.  Personally.
The Lord did not leave us alone after he ascended.  He sent the Spirit.  He also gave us the Church.  His body.  As the Church we are the physical contact and proximity for connecting.  Unless we stand away and choose to not connect.  Connecting is close, intimate, vulnerable.  Standing apart seems safe.  Standing at a distance is only somewhat comfortable, but it feels safe.  If we can choose to break through and “get up in here amongst us” with each other we will break the awkward and find connection.  It is difficult to be disconnected and physically close to others.  It can be done but it takes more work.
  1. Who are you close to?
  2. Who can you reach out to for new connections?
  3. Are you willing to change where you sit on Sunday?

--Zine Smith

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