Sometimes a change of perspective opens up our eyes to things that we miss. And we wish it had not taken so long.
As I laid in a hospital bed for three weeks, I observed a lot. Because of my injuries, I possessed limited independence . While it became frustrating in some ways, it was a blessing in others. Movement can become a means to an end and we miss seeing things in between the points. Being stuck in a bed in a room across from the nurses’ station gave me glimpses and sound bytes into the community of a hospital floor.
One thing that stuck out at me was the way the nurses operated as one body. While they each had assigned patients, they also depended on each other to fully care for everyone. For example, when I needed help being transferred to another bed or a lift up on my own, my nurse would seek out help from another.
I’m sure there existed squabbles and fatigue beneath the surface. They are humans. Yet, they know that their identity and role are part of a bigger picture. Watching that happen constantly amazed me. It required constantly yielding to self.
It reminds me of God’s design for community in general and in particular the body of Christ. What if the world saw that working itself out from every corner of the world? How can we be more attentive to the ways we can join together to be life givers? This is kingdom work. It can look like sharing resources/connections to get someone back on their feet financially. Coming together to provide child care opportunities for a parent who needs a break. Adding amplification to the voices of those marginalized in your community.
The “body” of the early church operated in such a way that people wanted in. May we each find our place in such a counter cultural revolution.
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This hit home. I recently read a book discussing the idea of true community where everyone cares and watches out for each other vs. today where it is more a fake system meant to look like a community, i.e. networks. I will use the example straight from the book Dumbing Us Down by John Taylor Gatto, “Networks of urban reformers will convene to consider the problems of homeless vagrants, but a community will think of its vagrants as people, not abstractions. Ron, Dave, or Marty – a community will call (them) by their names. It makes a difference.”: I have been thinking and praying and hoping to build a true community for myself, my hubby, and my kids. People they will know, play with, break bread with, care for, and also depend on. I am not even finding it within my own family anymore, and it makes my heart hurt. I also pray for a change in our world – to care less about looking good and buying one more thing to keep up with the Jonses and instead look to be sure my friend, who seems sad, has what she needs be it an hour to relax alone while I watch her kids, an ear to listen, or just a card in her mailbox to say I am thinking of you today. Thank you for this post.