Hands On Leadership
November 25, 2008 |
As I write, I'm delightfully basted in the scent of lemon grass oil; I just got a massage. I've only ever had one other massage in my life, so this is a fairly memorable occasion. I'm thankful for the kind woman who spent an hour of her time trying to talk some relaxation into these stubborn, over-tightened muscles of mine.
Actually, I'm a little more than thankful. I'm downright...perplexed. I guess I'm not sure what drives a person to want to be a masseuse. I'd always thought of it as "glam"--even the word sounds cool. But after the workout this woman just went through, I'm sure I was wrong. It was more than her willingness to expend energy that got me. What I'm really wondering is: What drives a person to be willling to touch someone else?
I can think of many other things I'd rather do than make skin-to-skin contact with strangers as they present themselves in the most awkward and needy manner (i.e., without their clothes). It's hard enough just accidentally bumping knuckles with a stranger, and now we're talking about massaging them. In my mind, it sounds horrific. Add to this the endless combination of physiques and personalities, and again, I'm not sure what you could offer me to do the job.
But now I remember something: in a roundabout way, I share in her profession. Her work reminds me of a task I'm committed to day in and day out. No, a task that's even more intimate at times. I have a Savior who touched me--much deeper than skin to skin, but heart to bleeding heart, He offered me rest when I presented myself in my most awkward and needy state, with nothing to hide behind, in all my sinfulness. And he does it every day.
And so, I've joined him in his work of touching souls. Sometimes it takes a few minutes: placing an intentional fingerprint of kindness or love, a smile, an offer to help onto the life of another. Other times, I might work for hours, lose sleep, rearrange my schedule. I work diligently to alternately applying pressure and gentility, all the while offering the aroma of Christ to a weary soul.
And just as I was, I'm sure some weary recipient of His love is completely perplexed. Why give time, skill, and energy to intimately sooth the pains of a hurting soul? If I hadn't been touched by the same nail-pierced hands, I wouldn't understand it either.
Posted by Caryn Rivadeneira on November 25, 2008
Comments
Thanks for this timely and wonderful article. I have been reading Bob Briner's Final Roar, and this article relates to what he has been trying to say very closely. Yes, we are supposed to be in the business of touching hurting souls with His love, and we fail so often it is a sin and a shame. We need to pray for His boldness and wisdom, because if we don't influence our country more than we have been in a more positive manner, we may not have the right to worship at all in this country very soon.
Father God, help us to be more obedient. Amen
Posted by: Cheryl Fenn on November 28, 2008
great article!
yes, Lord, thank You for deeply and intimately touching us, and more, in our neediness and at the great cost of Your cross. please fill all of YOur children with Your love so that we will overflow with it and touch the hurting souls of everyone we meet, no matter the cost to us. thank You!
Posted by: bonnie on November 30, 2008
I love this article. It is full of truth and grace and exactly what Jesus did for me and would love to do in others. I cannot imagine myself doing anything else with my life, except being a wife to my husband and the mother to my children, there is nothing more fulfilling than reaching out to a hurting and broken soul. Thank you Jesus!!
Posted by: Nancy McKeethan on January 4, 2009
Help I feel like I'm in a vaccum !I am a christian massage therapist in search of other like minded therapist.I have found this work as an excellent way to bring glory to our Father. His spirit allows His healing hands of love and light to do good works for His purpose. Broken bodies, lifes and spirits receive a nuturing
touch and a heartfelt prayer during the session.
To God be the glory.
Dea Henson LMT
Posted by: dea henson on May 10, 2009