Bonds that last cannot be based simply on good, better, or excellent interpersonal relationships but must be rooted outside the many devices and desires of the wounded human heart. Rooted in a bond that existed before and beyond human togetherness, bonds of true intimacy rest in the divine covenant. This is the covenant of God's faithfulness expressed in the promises made to Noah, Abraham and Sarah, Moses and the prophets, and made fully visible in the incarnation of Jesus.
God alone is free enough from wounds to offer us a fearless space. In and through God we can be faithful to each other: in friendship, marriage, and community. This intimate bond with God, constantly nurtured by prayer, offers us a true home. We can live together in this home without asking for much more than a willingness to constantly confess our weaknesses to each other and to always forgive each other. Jean Vanier considers this divine covenant the basis of every form of human faithfulness. We can only stay together when the "staying power" comes from the One who comes to us to stay. When we know ourselves to be deeply anchored in that divine covenant, we can build homes together. Only then can our limited and broken love reflect the unlimited and unbroken love of God.
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There are so many beautiful nuggets in this passage. I especially love the reminder that it is God's unlimited, unbroken love that enables us in our wounded brokenness to truly love one another. There is no room for fear because the Lord in His wholeness leads us to a place of intimacy with Him. The place from which all other relationships can grow faithfully and securely.
I also love the encouragement to willingly confess our weaknesses to each other. I for one, am one of the greatest perpetrators against this call to confession. I often have the thought: "Well, someone has to be strong, and it might as well be me." I feel (wrongly) that if I am not strong, then I will not be able to serve those that I love. And yet, we are actually stronger in our weakness because that is where God's power is made perfect (2 Corinthians 12:9). God is teaching me more and more to embrace my brokenness and to allow others into the midst of my weakness to help bear my burdens.
It is beautiful. It is difficult. It is painful. It is freeing.
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I pray today and everyday that you will rest in the divine covenant, finding your true home in the intimate bond with Him. A bond that is nurtured by prayer. And that your community will be full of God's children that surround you (the lost, the found, the hurting, the lonely), full of willing, mutual confession of your weaknesses one to another, full of forgiveness...and that there will always be room for one more person.
1 comment:
That is so good...rings so true. Just wait until you're as old as me! I've had so many years to realize my weakness it is very easy to no longer cling to the illusion of strength. :) Sorry I modeled such a need to be strong, dearest daughter. I pray you embrace your weakness long before your 50's!
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