Alone in the crowd
Travelling through London on the Tube in the rush hour is probably no-one’s idea of fun, but strangely millions of people do it every day. I had the misfortune to have to do so last week while visiting my mum in hospital. The intense isolation of each person travelling in their own private and personal space, whilst pressing against so many others is a stark contrast, almost a living oxymoron. Every nationality, age, occupation and gender. Every one going somewhere in such a hurry. No-one talking to anyone. So many stories and experiences jostling up against each other but locked in self-created cubicles. So much humour and good will silenced by the need to get somewhere. Such anonymity, a faceless crowd.
I think London underground should employ clowns, comics and comedians to put a smile on the commuters’ faces. I’m sure it would increase productivity at work and reduce morbidity and our health care bill. It could even help people talk to each other. A little human interaction goes a long way towards creating a civilised society.
How easy it is to be alone in the crowd, even in a lively and friendly church people can feel isolated and lonely. We so need to get over ourselves and be friendly to others who may not be like us. We may even find some new unexpected friends. We need builders of authentic community. We need families who will give hospitality and maybe even accommodation to others. We need groups of singles to be inclusive of those on the margins. We all need to play our part in building the kind of church we want to be a part of.
As I have visited many communities I often ask what kind of church they want to belong to. ‘Friendly and with strong community’ nearly always comes up in the descriptions that people offer. I usually then say ‘well you can have the church of your dreams – start to build it today.’
Be the church of your dreams!
