| |
Being Human and the importance of relationships
Below is an extract from a review by Bob Robinson of the film '127 Hours'. You can read the full review here.
If you are anything like me, you get caught up in your own private world and agenda far too much, shirking the very relationships that bring vitality to life. It is sad that it is only in those moments of crisis that we finally realize how dear community and family really is. When I personally nearly died five years ago, all I cared about was my family and friends. Five years later, I again take them all for granted. Sad.
To be human is to live in relationships. It is part of the warping of our psyche that we believe that we are better off alone. Americans are more socially isolated today than they have ever been, disconnected with others as they seclude themselves from people.
We think that being human is being able to go it alone, but in reality, being human is being interconnected with others. We actually become less human the more we scorn relationships. And yet, we are constantly taking our most treasured relationships for granted. An ancient text reads, “If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!” It goes on to say, “A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12).
There is great wisdom in this. Let us not stop getting together with others in real relationships, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another.
How are your relationships? Maybe we need to re-prioritize our involvement in community and invest the time and effort to ensure it is genuine. What simple achievable thing can you do in the next week to help make this happen?
|
David Wanstall, 10/05/2011
|
|
|
|
