THE TOUCHLESS HUG

Luke 15:11-21
11 There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, "Father, give me my share of the estate." . . . 13 Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. . . . 17 When he came to his senses, he said, "How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men." 20 So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 21 The son said to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son."

One night before my oldest son went to bed, I asked for a goodnight hug. Well, nothing could have prepared me for what he would say and do. He came up to me and said he wanted to give me a touchless hug. He proceeded to wrap his arms around me, but without touching me. I could not contain my laughter. After he went to bed, I thought about how empty his touchless hug felt. I wondered how many people are living in relationship with Jesus and in community with other Jesus-followers who are reluctant to show emotions and express affection.

Read Luke 7:38 and you will see that our affection should be revealed through the tenderness of our hearts. The woman in this account expressed her tenderness through weeping, anointing Jesus' feet with perfume, and wiping His feet with her hair. Because His acceptance touched her heart, she allowed her affection to touch Him.

Affection for others comes through an open heart. In 2 Corinthians 6:11, Paul called the Corinthians "friends" and said his heart was open to them. One characteristic of an open heart is speaking honestly to one another. Although the Corinthians frustrated Paul in many ways, he loved them as a father would love his children.

Our affection for others is revealed through compassion for others. In Luke 15:20, we see the vivid and moving reunion of a rebellious son and his loving and patient father. When you look at this beautiful picture, you do not see a touchless hug; you see a warm and accepting embrace. You see a genuine display of affection.

As Jesus-followers, we are called to express affection for one another. Jesus was the expression of God's affection for us.
Are you withholding your Christian affection? Are you giving out touchless hugs? Many lonely and despairing people in your faith community need your compassion and your open heart. --Marvin Williams

DESTINATION POINTS

* Whose affection has touched me? How?
* Why are some people reluctant to express affection?
* How can I be more active in expressing Christian affection to others?

LINKS:
The Compassion Of Jesus
http://www.discoveryseries.org/q0208

bottom line: God hugs others through me.

soul journey