I’m always amazed by how we relate to one another when being physically active and interactive. The opportunity to physically engage together and move together is truly awe inspiring. Last Thursday we (The Potter’s House Community) had this opportunity in the form of low ropes elements and team initiatives. All eight of us engaged in activities where we had to literally hold each other up in order to get out of the Black Hole, from which we could only escape by going under a rope laying on the ground without using our hands. And it getting all eight of us from one side of the Giant Stop Light to the other side . . . without touching the rope of course! To add to the difficulty level and to give us a micro view of our lives together . . . many times some of us were blindfolded, unable to speak or move without the assistance of another member of our community.
This experience was small in some ways, but very large in others. It gave all eight of us a very tangible starting point for our lives together. It gave us tactile and touchable examples of what happens when one of us has a very real limitation or weakness. These very real and very tangible examples allowed us all to start a conversation about times in the year to come when our limitations and weaknesses may not be so visible or so basic.
What happens when one of us say “I’m fine” in that voice that makes it obvious that we are very much the opposite of what our words are saying? How far and how hard do we push each other with questions and concerns? How do we realize that when we enter into community we give up the right to do whatever, whenever with our lives and time? And how do we respect space and time but not allow one another to hide?
These are all very hard and very good questions to ask. They reflect that by entering into community we are all hungry for something . . . the reality of having our lives witnessed by others daily. We are hungry for the intentional and authentic presence of others in our lives. We are seeking grace and mercy in our lives lived together.
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
