The inner journey is one individual seeking and longing for the One we are made for. It is a journey that is facilitated by solitude, silence, meditation, worship, lectio divina (the Word), and more.
Yet, ironically, there is a human relationship component that is also vital! Our emotional and spiritual health is largely determined by the quality of our connectedness with others. We live most fully, and can enter into our life with God most thoroughly, when our hearts are being touched by others.
Dr. Henry Cloud says it this way:
“At the emotional level, connection is the sustaining factor for the psyche, the heart, and the spirit. Virtually every emotional and psychological problem, from addictions to depression, has alienation or emotional isolation at its core or close to it. Recovery from these problems always involves helping people to get more connected to each other at deeper and healthier levels than they are.”
I, like many in our culture, would prefer to think of myself as the rugged individualist. "Just me and God; He's all I need." There is truth in this. Yet the other facet of the truth is that God provides Himself to me, many times, through the human skin of others. Therefore, I also need peope--real people--who are willing to travel with me and beside me.
All this to say that I want to celebrate my own growing friendships: men (and women) with whom I am becoming more connected to at deeper and healthier levels. I want to say to you that you make a difference, a real difference, in who I am, in how I walk my life, in who I become.
You are willing to reveal yourself to me so that I am made more comfortable revealing myself to you. You accept me as human while also celebrating the gifts God has given to me. You value our relationship and therefore I know that you are standing beside me. You are a gift. I thank God for you.
And to you, I want to say... thank you!
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