The Hurt And The Healing

This evening I have been to watch a contemporary dance performance which considered the themes of loss and reconstruction following loss.

 

It was a fascinating portrayal of how loneliness can feel and how other people are essential in carrying us through times of bereavement and in helping us to restructure our lives.

 

There were six dancers in the piece and each one of them, at one point in the performance, was the 'odd one out' - the one by themselves.  The one dancing alone.  The one who was experiencing loss of some kind.

 

They each had a moment of dancing solo.

 

But then the other five would come and gather around them and physically support and strengthen them.  They would dance alongside them and lift and carry them.

 

It was a beautiful image.

 

And it was another wonderful picture of what God imagines the church to be like.

 

Paul writes,

 

"The way God designed our bodies is a model for understanding our lives together as a church: every part dependent on every other part, the parts we mention and the parts we don’t, the parts we see and the parts we don’t.  If one part hurts, every other part is involved in the hurt, and in the healing.  If one part flourishes, every other part enters into the exuberance."

 

[1 Corinthians 12:25-26 MSG]

 

I love that line: every other part is involved in the hurt, and in the healing. 

 

In the same way that the dancers in tonight's performance were all involved in each other's hurt and healing, this is what God envisions and longs for in His church.

 

 

 

 

When You Fall

I was just reflecting on what to write about today as I popped out to the supermarket.  I crouched down to look at the bread, stood up and, seconds later, found myself sprawling on the floor.

 

A stray puddle claimed me as its victim.

 

It took me completely by surprise - one minute I was thinking about bread, the next I was on the floor.

 

I don't think we ever get used to falling over.

 

I don't think we ever get used to that feeling of complete powerlessness and surprise.  We realise what is happening and we also realise that we are incapable of stopping it in the same moment.  So we try and brace ourselves, but there isn't enough time.

 

Thankfully several people rushed to my side and helped me to my feet.  They helped me to a chair and got me some frozen peas and made sure I was alright before I came home.  I didn't know them, but they helped me and supported me.

 

The Bible says,

 

"Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.  If one person falls, the other can reach out and help.  But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.  Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm.  But how can one be warm alone?  A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer.  Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken."

 

[Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NLT] 

 

Thankfully when I took a tumble, there were people around to help me to my feet.   They reached out and helped. 

 

If I had been alone, I would have got myself up and home again, but I think more than my legs would have been bruised: we need other people to support and strengthen us.  We need to look out for each other and support each other and, most importantly, pick each other up when we fall - both literally and metaphorically.

 

These are the words of the chorus of one of my favourite songs ['By Your Side' by Tenth Avenue North]:

 

        And I'll be by your side
        Wherever you fall
        In the dead of night
        Whenever you call
        And please don't fight
        These hands that are holding you
        My hands are holding you

 

 We weren't meant to walk this life alone.

 

 

 

Crowds

In my opinion, there are good crowds and bad crowds. Bad crowds include: Christmas shoppers, the rowdy crowd making their way home past my flat and singing loudly at 3am and, most annoying of all, the slow-walking, pavement-blocking crowd.

But good crowds can be supportive and collaborative and encouraging. They can work together to achieve far more than individuals can; they can support and encourage each other; they can be a powerful force for good.

One of the most amazing things about watching the Olympics this week has been the reaction and support of the crowds, especially the crowd supporting the home team. The sheer volume of the cheering and shouting every time someone from team GB has been competing has been immense.

So many athletes have commented on the support of the crowds too and the effect that is has had on them. When the athletes have been nervous or overwhelmed, the crowd has encouraged them; when they haven't done as well as they had hoped, it has helped them to pick themselves up; when they have grown tired and weary, it has motivated them to keep going.

In the same way, the Bible tells us that we have a huge crowd of witnesses, spurring us on and encouraging us to persevere in our walk with God. A crowd of witnesses who have gone before us and who are on our side.

Yesterday, I wrote about the Holy Spirit being on our side and being our coach. We also have a crowd supporting us - other Christians who have gone before us and who can give us advice and encouragement, or those who walk alongside us and cheer us on.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us."

[Hebrews 12:1 NLT]

Pete Greig writes in his poem "The Vision" -

"They (Christians) don't need fame from names. Instead they grin quietly upwards and hear the crowds chanting again and again: "COME ON!"

We weren't meant to run this race alone. It's a team sport. Let's cheer each other on and listen out for the roaring support of others.