I do not believe that anyone was designed or prepared to live along. Everything about us is designed to be shared, communicated, or held in common. Even the very things that we don’t like to talk about are things shared in common so we can design furniture and home equipment to improve the quality of our lives. How else could one describe the role and attention we pay to the features and functions of our bathrooms?
In contrast to how we are designed is the world in which we live. Much of our life is spent alone, often and especially in the world of our imagination. Nothing is quite real. Little is physically present Things exists in our minds with very little left for the touch part of our senses. We exist in a vacuum, absent of the traditional corporate experience that we were made for. Even our dialogues about God are moving toward singular, individual experiences of the mind. Others tell us that meditation is the key. Going away to a retreat by one’s self is helpful. The emphasis is on the person, the soul, the entity within.
In contrast John captures a scene in Revelation that is anything but being alone! Everywhere he goes, in every direction there are groups gathered around the Lamb, worshipping at the throne. This is a gathering and from all indications a great party. John captures the picture where even the inner circle share things in common.
“Each had a harp and each had a bowl, a gold bowl filled with incense, the prayers of God’s holy people.” (Revelation 5.6)
And they are not alone; they carry the prayers – hopes, dreams, fears, cries for help, and expressions of love – with them.
One day I will understand the full meaning of this scene. For now I start my day full of hope. I know others share my dreams for how a relationship with God can develop and what can happen today in the lives of those around me. There are many who know what living means. We are not alone.
