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The intent of Pilgrim Processing is to provide commentary on the Daily Lectionary from the 1979 Book of Common Prayer. The format for the comment is Old Testament Lesson first, Gospel, and Epistle with a portion of one of the Psalms for the day as a prayer at the end.

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Relational intimacy - fear and judgment

Why is intimacy so frightening? Sin has everything to do with that question. If I don't have anything to hide, intimacy is natural and no big deal. If you knew who I really am, what I really think, you might reject me, so we hide and avoid real intimacy. We fear not only exposure but judgment of others even on those things we aren't ashamed of.

I have had some time in the past few days to observe people avoiding intimacy with one another because it is safer to put up the facade and refuse to go deeper in relationships. Superficiality wears me out quicker than almost anything in my life and yet I spend most of my time on that level. Is there any hope for more?

We were made for intimacy, and the One who knows us with greater intimacy than we can imagine loves us enough to die for us. If we can live from the level of the Spirit and love with God's love, our relationships can be richer and more fulfilling. Do we really want that kind of relationship, enough to set aside our fears and our judgments? We can marvel at and talk about the love of Jesus for prostitutes and tax collectors and other sinners, but do we live that same way? We need a revolution.

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