Relational Integration

A friend of mine recently responded to my Facebook post by sharing the lyrics of a 1967 song from the group, The Youngbloods.  “Come on people now, smile on your brother, everybody get together, try to love one another…”  While “peace and love” was the cry of that era, sadly violence and bloodshed were often the result of the agitation that existed.  But that’s another story for another day.

If you should ask of anyone who knows me, “What is Jim’s heart inclined toward?” they will probably respond, “Relationship!”  It’s true!  Many years ago I received a type of revelation; the kind that isn’t simply dropped into your mind, but rather, registers deep within your spirit.  Being an avid reader of the Holy Scriptures, I found that this concept was the TRUE foundation of the Bible; not a path of religion but a journey of relationship.  The heart of the teachings of Jesus became alive, but so did a deep agitation at how the world has distorted these truths.

I know!  Some would say, “Duhhhhh”.  But even those folks probably still don’t grasp the real nature of relationship.  I’ve had people tell me, “Not everybody is going to like you.  In fact, most people probably don’t want a relationship with you.”  But that thought springs from a rather superficial approach to relationship, thinking of it primarily in terms of social encounters or a sharing of common interests.  We often fail to see that the real power of relationship has less to do with “liking” someone, and everything to do with the concept of “Integration”!

One of the definitions of integration is “The act or process of making whole or entire.” (thank-you Wiktionary).  I’m intrigued by that notion, since the implication is that without this condition something essential is lacking.  But to truly understand the power of integration I think that we need to consider what that wholeness or entirety really looks like.  I’ve worked with groups who lay claim to the concept of integration, but seemingly fail to accept that the “whole” that they are striving for may be bigger than just themselves; businesses who focus on their own posture ahead of integrating with a larger effort of growing into a whole and healthy community; mission agencies who voice a desire to partner but do so only as it serves their own mission;  individuals who see their own daily quest as satisfying their personal needs rather than those of a neighbor.

 You see, I believe that the mystery to found in integration is that the pursuit of it must be focused on benefiting another, even ahead ourselves.  We have each been given something from God that another person desperately needs.  Our charge in life is to find out what that gift, talent or resource is, and then to direct it to that individual, without thought to how it might ultimately benefit ourselves.

Yes, I was greatly influenced by the radical nature of the 1960’s.  But I’m even more greatly influenced by the message that Jesus gave to us.  He spoke of the need to see ourselves as only a part of the greater whole, which ultimately becomes His Body on earth (and beyond).  “Come on people now, smile on your brother and sister…” and develop a desire to “one another”!