Grieving the barrier
You know, there are areas in the Christian Church that no matter how humble and close to God we get, sin's damage will not be erased. They are like reminders of the fall, burdens we carry to keep us ever clinging to Jesus.
The Bible tells us we are brothers and sisters in Christ, we are encouraged to treat each other as such, for Christian brothers to treat Christian women as sisters. I imagine treating my brothers in Christ the way I treat my brothers. I'm here to tell ya, that ain't ever gonna happen.
I grew up with three brothers down the hall (the other two were grown and gone when my parents married). I love my brothers. I find such security in their love for me. My brother, Brandon and I went out to lunch the last time I was there and I felt like a little girl on her first date. I often go to my brother Scott for a man's perspective when I don't feel I am seeing my husband's perspective and I know that he will always take up for Hubby. My little brother, J, got in a fight for me once, he and I used to talk late at night. So, I adore them and when I'm with them, I hug on them and rest my head on their shoulders. The security is a wonderful thing.
I imagine we as sisters to our brothers in Christ should find that same security in each other but it just isn't so. The barrier sin created between men and women is one of those things I grieve the most about The Fall. Having grown up with brothers and mostly guy friends I always new a freedom and comfort in those friendships. Along came adulthood and I watched the barrier and distance grow. It was sad. I don't imagine that I would go to any of my brother's in Christ the way I do my brothers. I should be able to but I wouldn't.
As sad as it is, I understand it and respect it for what it is. For one, men in a position of representing Christ are held to a higher standard than those that are representing themselves. Because it is important, they must choose to not only not walk in sin but not even give the appearance of it. (I don't drink much not because its wrong but because I have a burden for the weakness of others.) Men also are physical creatures so for their own sin nature and desire to avoid temptation, they keep a good distance to women. I also wouldn't want to give the appearance of having an emotional affair with another man over my husband. That would be bad.
So I do what I can to support them in their effort to not walk in temptation. I take them into consideration when I dress, in how I act and in what I say.
But I still grieve it. When I am in the company of a scholar, a pastor, or a brother in Christ who shares the same knowledge and passion for Biblical studies, the languages and has knowledge I would love to glean from, I see that there is that barrier. That makes me sad. I get it, but it makes me sad.
The Bible tells us we are brothers and sisters in Christ, we are encouraged to treat each other as such, for Christian brothers to treat Christian women as sisters. I imagine treating my brothers in Christ the way I treat my brothers. I'm here to tell ya, that ain't ever gonna happen.
I grew up with three brothers down the hall (the other two were grown and gone when my parents married). I love my brothers. I find such security in their love for me. My brother, Brandon and I went out to lunch the last time I was there and I felt like a little girl on her first date. I often go to my brother Scott for a man's perspective when I don't feel I am seeing my husband's perspective and I know that he will always take up for Hubby. My little brother, J, got in a fight for me once, he and I used to talk late at night. So, I adore them and when I'm with them, I hug on them and rest my head on their shoulders. The security is a wonderful thing.
I imagine we as sisters to our brothers in Christ should find that same security in each other but it just isn't so. The barrier sin created between men and women is one of those things I grieve the most about The Fall. Having grown up with brothers and mostly guy friends I always new a freedom and comfort in those friendships. Along came adulthood and I watched the barrier and distance grow. It was sad. I don't imagine that I would go to any of my brother's in Christ the way I do my brothers. I should be able to but I wouldn't.
As sad as it is, I understand it and respect it for what it is. For one, men in a position of representing Christ are held to a higher standard than those that are representing themselves. Because it is important, they must choose to not only not walk in sin but not even give the appearance of it. (I don't drink much not because its wrong but because I have a burden for the weakness of others.) Men also are physical creatures so for their own sin nature and desire to avoid temptation, they keep a good distance to women. I also wouldn't want to give the appearance of having an emotional affair with another man over my husband. That would be bad.
So I do what I can to support them in their effort to not walk in temptation. I take them into consideration when I dress, in how I act and in what I say.
But I still grieve it. When I am in the company of a scholar, a pastor, or a brother in Christ who shares the same knowledge and passion for Biblical studies, the languages and has knowledge I would love to glean from, I see that there is that barrier. That makes me sad. I get it, but it makes me sad.
Comments