The Nearness of Man and God

I recently helped with a ministry called City Kidz where we drive a big truck into the heart of some underprivileged neighborhoods and put on a 2-hour VBS (essentially) for whatever kids want to come.

One thing that struck me in particular is the desire these kids have for some sort of physical contact. I’m not talking about an intimate contact that is sexual (in any way), but instead a touch that I think God uses in mighty and magnificent ways. It’s something those of us with families and friends take for granted. We get the hug after church or the handshake from an acquaintance. Guys wrestle after bible study (for whatever reason) and spouses share an arm or hand while sitting at church or walking down the street. Since we are created in the image of God, I firmly believe He created us with a need for some type of physical connection to demonstrate God’s comfort, love and nearness.

These kids don’t always have that. They may have a mom that is a single parent and is always gone working or exhausted from the work. They may not have a father figure in their life or may have one that is distant and reserved.

Two examples from City Kidz illustrated this need to me particularly (and I see it all around me with everyone else who goes). While listening to the bible story one afternoon, a boy about 9 or 10 sat near me. Both of us were sitting Indian-style but his bare left knee was resting on top of my bare right knee (we both were wearing shorts because it was pretty hot outside). My first reaction if that were a peer of mine would have been to quickly distance myself. It would have been “weird” or “uncomfortable” somehow. I expected this boy to feel the same way. But instead, he just left his leg there. In fact, the more I observed the situation, he was sitting very close to me with plenty of space around both of us. Maybe he doesn’t experience any physical affirmation or warmth at his home. I have no idea. But just the nearness of another person was comforting to him. He felt connected.

The second example is that of a 2 year old who we will call Harry. Again, I don’t know the details of his situation, but this kid was ready to wrestle! He was ready to climb, scratch, jump and flip all over anyone he could get his hands on. I have the fingernail marks in my neck to prove it (ouch!). But I think that whoever he was climbing on gave him a sense of not feeling alone. He was able to interact and engage another person and experience, on some level, a little bit of the oneness God intends to have with us.

I feel there’s a need to meet people in this way when they need it. I don’t think it’s something that should be taken lightly or performed flippantly, but I do think it’s something we often take for granted. I don’t think it should happen with the opposite sex and I don’t think it should happen in private. But I think we should look beyond handing out food or money and telling people we’ll pray for them and demonstrate the love of Christ with a hug or a handshake or a wrestling match. When you hug your first homeless person you’ll know exactly what I mean. To God be the glory.