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The quote:
“And I think that’s what our world is desperately in need of – lovers, people who are building deep, genuine relationships with fellow strugglers along the way, and who actually know the faces of the people behind the issues they are concerned about.”
—Shane Claiborne
The question:
Can you name the faces behind the issues you are concerned about? What kind of deep, genuine relationships are you building with fellow strugglers along the way?
I think this is something I am working on. I so want deep, genuine relationships. Especially with fellow strugglers…because I concur with Shane Claiborne…it is what our world needs…desperately. I want a relationship with fellow strugglers that is deep and genuine…not the fake surface relationships that often dominate any type of human relationship.
And to know the faces… I think this is one of the most important things. We can get caught up in the issues and forget there are faces. So many faces.
This quote has me thinking…a lot.
I’m joining in the conversation here in the comments because this one is too good not to add to!
I’m with Christy above. I’m working on this and want with my whole heart to be a woman who pours her life into deep, genuine relationships with strugglers along the way.
It *is* so easy to get caught up in the issues and forget the faces. What a travesty that is.
This one has me thinking and growing and aiming for more in my life.
I think this is a hard one, because we tend to retreat within ourselves when we are struggling. We don’t want others to know we are fallible and weak. I long for the kind of relationships where we can be real with one another, but I often wonder what happens when the person struggling more pulls back and won’t let you in.
It’s my natural tendency to retreat when I’m struggling and so I think what I’ve ended up doing with those I see struggling around me is let them have their “space” so to speak. HOWEVER, I am slowly learning that a big part of the healing process comes from being surrounded by community and confessing those struggles and sins and faults to them, so it goes without saying that I need to be comfortable sharing my struggles and being open to letting others share theirs. But do I know the faces behind the issues that I’m concerned about? Not like I should. It’s a radical, huge thing to be a lover, I think, there is such risk there. But I’d be lying if I didn’t say that the notion of loving intimately the people God’s called me into community with doesn’t stir in my heart like fire. Something is changing in me, friends and I’ll be honest it scares the you know what out of me.
Kristen, this post just hit me in the heart… well, really it was the last question. It’s something God has been working on in me lately. I have issues I am passionate about and the Lord has been telling me to get my hands dirty… so I am making steps. Thank you for the encouragement!! <3 <3
I see (shallowness) in relationships. It is easy for me to retreat..I feel foreign..not of this world. I continue to struggle seeing people that are homeless and wondering if anyone notices. I am an older woman that God has redeemed and restored my heart. Am under construction..
Sometimes I feel so alone in my issues, but the truth is…I am one of many…but I hide so no one knows that I have an issue. I’m focusing on trying to speak the truth and see others that are hurting…together we can encourage and love each other through the issues.
How did you get so wise to guide us?