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Growing Intimate

Growing Intimate

Let her breathe! It’s hard to escape the tasteless sight of an intimate couple all over each other. Having a significant other is and always has been the “in” thing. We are people made with the desire to love and be loved, to touch and be touched. Without some discipline we all become guilty of some sort of PDA (Public Displays of Affection) with our special someone. As a regular Disneyland attendee, it is impossible for me to avoid seeing the classic, “let me hold you from behind as we try to multi-task between synched, waddling advancement and kissing” move. Of course, being a Christian does not make us immune from PDA, but if our relationship with Jesus is what we claim it to be, where does He fit in in all this? How affectionate are we with our Lord and Savior in public? What is that supposed to look like?

Now obviously I’m not talking about walking around with a life-size Jesus doll, but my point is that we need balance. How can we let people know we have a redeeming relationship with Jesus Christ? Spiritually worded T-shirts may be a fading fad, but they still instigate question and conversation from strangers. Instead of rolling down the window at a red light and shouting at the car next to you, “Hey! I really like this girl,” why not strike up a conversation with the intent of letting them know you are a beloved child of God and sharing His love through your own. When we discover something that we think is good, we always have the urge to make it known. So where does eternal life rank on our “goodness” scale?

As followers of Christ we are to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind,” (Matthew 22:37). After reading that verse I think our buddy Kip said it best, “I’d say it’s getting pretty serious.” It is. The relationship is meant to be serious, but which relationship are we publicizing more: significant other or Christ? The truth of the matter is that we tend to delight and partake in a relationship that gives us physical and emotional pleasure or tangible benefit, rather than the intangible. In church we appear to be closely intimate with God, but as soon as Monday rolls around He becomes the little sibling that keeps following you everywhere. This blip wasn’t written to strike down PDA with your significant other … well maybe it was a little bit, but it was really written as a challenge to become more affectionate with your God. There are, of course, limits or pros and cons when publicly displaying affection, whether it’s with God or significant other. A public display of either can become infringing, but only one can have an eternal benefit.

Some Forms of PDA:

– Volunteer in your community

– Become a Big Brother or Sister to a child in need

– Make friends outside your church bubble

– Spark conversations that go beyond the surface

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