“Proximity breeds care, and distance breeds fear.”

I heard a wonderful bullet this week in a presentation by Emmanuel Acho:

“Proximity breeds care, and distance breeds fear. Not recognizing this basic principle, leads to not enough care and empathy and heightened amounts of fear.”

Admit it or not, we all carry heavy fears these days – fear of different peoples – fear of political views – fear for the future of our nation – fear of things that are different – and sadly, fear of each other.

I hear so many of us say, “Lord heal our land.” Sadly, many of us miss a major component of trusting the Lord’s will for our lives and any land – maybe, the missing component is obedience – obedience equals behaving in such a way that actually reflects the Lord’s will in our lives – but, we remain set in our ways, distant and fearful.

If all we ever do is invest in the same people who look like us – engage in the same habits and traditions we always have – participate well within our comfort zones, etc., etc… We fail to recognize this basic principle of proximity – by holding fast to our personal comfort instead of proximity, we are compromising care and empathy, and we’re heightening fear (of each other).

Proximity is the easiest, most effective form of healing – proximity is as simple as a hand, a smile, a greeting, or providing assistance – becoming acquainted, investing physically/emotionally, engaging in others rather than ourselves – proximity is the most powerful step we can take, if we truly long for our nation to heal – proximity is a Biblical manifestation of obedience to the Lord’s will in our lives.

What does proximity look like?

Politicians reach across the aisle.

Neighbors walk across the yard.

Coworkers check on each other.

Churches support other churches.

Those that have, help those that have not.

Truly live out the old school “Golden Rule”.

Really get to know and learn more about others – walk the walk, not just talk the talk – be the salt and light to those outside of our normal paths.

Perhaps something like…

“…You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world…    …and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

“Proximity breeds care, and distance breeds fear.”

Are we perpetuating care or fear?