The Power of Connection: Lessons from Reunion and Hope.
Finding Connection in a Fragmented World
The news that the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is welcomed news, to say the least. From a theological perspective, the idea of peace is the way of Christ. Seeing this come to a peaceful pause will not erase the pain and sorrow that has been the reality for people in Gaza and Israel since Oct. 7th, 2023. The Christian faith has much to say about caring for those who are broken-hearted. In the book of Romans, we are reminded to “mourn with those who mourn.” (Rom. 12:15)
A Reunion That Speaks to Our Deepest Desires
The three hostages who have been released from Hamas were reunited with their families over the weekend. The video of the reunion will bring tears of joy; well, it certainly did for me. I can't even imagine what it would be like, for over 471 days, to be uncertain about the fate of your family and not be able to see them or check in on them. The turmoil that must have created is unimaginable.
I am certain that in the weeks and months to come, we will hear from these families and the individuals who were held hostage. I imagine that they will talk about their emotions and the trauma that has been their world for 471 days. I hope they take their time and get the much-needed resources to process this traumatic experience. The pain and suffering faced by both the hostages and their families over the last 471 days must be immense, and indeed it will take some time to feel safer and begin to deregulate the nervous system.
I think about the hostages who are still being held in Gaza and their families, who are holding out hope. I am sure there are multiple waves of emotions and feelings pulsating through their bodies. The feelings of elation for those released and disappointment that it wasn't their daughter or their son who was allowed to cross back into Israel. In all, 34 hostages are scheduled to be released. As of January 6th, there were about 100 hostages being held in Gaza.
The Sacred Power of Presence
Connection and reconnection are powerful forces. We can't dismiss what takes place in the presence of someone who cares for us and whom we care for. The reunion that I saw displayed on the screen continues to swirl in my mind and emotions. I feel like there is something that keeps saying to me, there are lessons here, look! I want to be clear, I am not making the leap from the severity of the hostages in Gaza to the loneliness epidemic in the United States of America. Yet, there is still something in these images that I just can't get away from.
All of these images of reunion remind me of the power of connection and how presence transcends words. One thing I noticed in the reunion videos was that hardly any words were intelligible, but the communication was clear. The power of the reunion didn't need words to convey the elation and joy. Seeing the individuals fold into each other as they embraced told all that was needed to tell.
Battling Loneliness Through Creating Intentional Connection
The power of connection cannot be dismissed. There is something profound about being supported by and supporting one another. This is not exclusively accomplished in person, but for some people, this is the case. Online communities can certainly provide connection and community for individuals. Just like a face-to-face encounter, there needs to be thought and purpose in the design of the interaction.
I long to see the majority of churches be intentional in the way we create environments that foster authentic connection. As I saw these families reconnected, I thought of the fact they now feel a little safer because they are back together. I hope that as the church moves forward, we seek to create that kind of safety for those we encounter. I desire to see safety created for those who either come to the stained-glass building or as we take the church to the people.
I have included a video below of the reunion of the hostages and their families. I hope you will watch it, see the joy and elation that flows. Perhaps some of that joy will flow from your own eyes. Then, take a deep breath and know that we all desire connection, we all desire someone to embrace us and care for us. How can we create that same spirit of safety for those we come in contact with?