Nancy Kuhuski

“There is power in proximity. Get close to people and communities who are at risk – and stay close. We don’t have to have the answers; instead, we have to want to get close. From far away, we can’t create meaningful solutions or hear the nuances and the perspectives of people who we want to collaborate with and advocate for. When we step into the places where there is despair, neglect, and abuse, that is where we are informed, energized, and feel the empathy that drives us to change the world.” Brian Stevenson

That statement is so powerful… we have to get proximate. I’ve been thinking a lot about proximity the past few months. The theme just keeps popping up.  What does it mean to get proximate and what changes when we get proximate?

This week I had the privilege of hearing the Community Director of Facing Homelessness, https://www.facebook.com/HomelessInSeattle/, speak. She said something several times that has cemented itself into my heart. As she was sharing about residents of Seattle that live outside, she made the statement “He is the most beautiful person” or “She is the most beautiful person”, and she truly meant it. She had gotten proximate. She saw past the exterior and saw the beauty of their hearts. She had taken time to learn their names, to hear their stories, and to get close enough to look them in the eye and see them as a fellow struggler in this life. I was moved…

Last week I wrote about “I’m with you” and was reminded that as much as we need to be with each other… we have a God who has said “I’m with you” – Immanuel – meaning “God with us”. But, God didn’t stand off afar and say I’m with you – he chose to get proximate. He came to this earth becoming fully human, while being fully God, as he knew we needed a God who gets it… We need a God who knows what heartbreak feels like, who knows what deep injustice feels like, who knows what its like to experience deep pain as we walk through this life… I need this proximate God everyday…

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10  

Our world has a lot of problems and they often feel big, heavy, and overwhelming. But we are not powerless to make an impact. I hope you are fully engaged with committing Random Acts of Christmas Joy! (See blog post from Nov. 16 if you don’t know what this is https://wp.me/p8ZOfe-5h  – It’s not too late to start!)

As you go about your random acts of kindness, and your week, will you choose to get proximate? Will you learn the name of the frazzled mom standing behind you in the checkout line and remind her that she is doing a good job, then buy her the milk that she ran in to grab? Will you seek out the person at your office who always sits alone in the lunch room and learn their story? Will you reach out to the acquaintance on facebook that keeps posting things that infuriate you and makes you wonder why you haven’t unfriended them and ask them to coffee – then learn about each other’s story? As you get proximate, will you listen and allow yourself to see the beauty in those around you? Will you allow a proximate God to draw near to you?