You’ve had the experience of having someone get into your personal space, haven’t you? You are confronted by those people who enter the invisible area where you want to say, “That’s close enough, thank you! Now back off!” Where did the phrase “personal space” come from anyway? Is there really an invisible barrier we put up so people can’t get too close to us?
Recently I took time to read through the book of Luke. As I read about Jesus being in the crowds of cities or preaching on hillsides, I doubted whether Jesus had personal space. Read these verses and see if you agree with me:
And the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all. –Luke 6:19 (NKJV)
And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharasee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil. –Luke 7:37-38 (NKJV)
People touched Jesus for healing and to show honor. It sure doesn’t sound like He minded them intruding on His space. So why are we offended and step backward when people try to get close to us? Some people even shy away from hugging or shaking hands.
Jesus gave us the command to “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel” –Mark 16:15 (KJV). How can we preach or show the love of Jesus if we never allow ourselves to get close to anyone? How can we NOT hug an orphaned child or a widowed mother? How can we NOT touch people who are hurting or need a gentle hand to hold for support? What a silly notion to think that we need personal space. That certainly sounds like a lie from satan to help us be selfish.
May I challenge those of you who believe having personal space is your choice? It’s not! Jesus showed us how to love one another and it had nothing to do with being unreachable; it’s more about making ourselves available to love. Take a step of faith today by reaching out to those who need to see Christ through you.
· Give an elderly neighbor a hug today.
· Take the step to become a volunteer in an after-school program and show Christ to fatherless or motherless children who need a hug and the encouragement only you can give.
· Make a purposeful effort to shake the hands of everyone you meet on Sunday morning at church. And even shake the hands of those you don’t know!
· Let your strength be an encouragement to someone today; let them know you can be strong because of Christ.
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