Willingness & Touch

We often think in tangible terms when we talk about living a simple life. Homemaking. Slowing down. Spending time with family, getting involved with our community, and developing our creative skills. But there are some things we can’t actually see or touch that make up a large portion of living a simple life. These are the intangible things we experience, see, or think, such as love, joy, peace and contentment. There are also two other things - willingness and touch.

Listen in to learn how willingness and touch are integral pieces of living the simple life we love.

Transcript

We often think in tangible terms when we talk about living a simple life. Homemaking. Slowing down. Spending time with family, getting involved with our community, and developing our creative skills. But there are some things we can’t actually see or touch that make up a large portion of living a simple life. These are the intangible things we experience, see, or think, such as love, joy, peace and contentment. There are also two other things - willingness and touch.

It happens. There is a time in our lives when we see something, read something, or experience something that just sticks with us, and won’t let go. It may be something profound, or it could be something very simple. But however we react, it stays in our minds, and sometimes, in our hearts. We are willing to try it and can’t wait to feel it in our hands as we work on it.

But it isn’t just a project where willingness and touch may apply. I discovered that recently, spurred on by two things. One was just three simple words. The other was an action.

I was working on a devotional and reading Luke 5:13. This is the story of Jesus and the man with leprosy. The first thing that stuck in my mind was when Jesus said, “I am willing.’ The second thing was, “He…touched him.”

Each of these, in and of themselves, can be simple and inconsequential. ‘I am willing’, on the surface, may just mean the speaker is agreeable to doing what is asked of him. These words could also be accompanied by a nod of acknowledgement. 

In some way, every single day, we use these same words in both spoken and unspoken ways. ‘I am willing’ to clean my house. ‘I am willing’ to weed the garden. ‘I am willing to take Miss Catherine, my neighbor, to the doctor and run errands’. No, we may not always say it like this, but it’s still the unspoken words of our hearts that move us to do it. 

When used as words or an action, ‘I am willing’ simply means you are happily agreeing with what you are being requested to do. We say it in untold ways each and every day.

We may say ‘Yes, I will take you and your friends to the movies’ to your child. The words are different, but the intent is the same. You are willing to do what is asked. 

On the surface, reaching out and touching someone only means you have physical contact with them. The touch can be as simple as brushing up against someone as you pass too close in a crowded space. It can be shaking hands in greeting, patting someone on the back or shoulder, or even giving a much-needed hug to someone who is hurting. 

You can also touch someone without physical contact. This is usually done by kind and thoughtful words or actions, and instead of touching their bodies, we are touching their hearts.

Separately, these two things can be considered inconsequential, and just part of everyday life. But when you put them together, the spoken words and the action work together to create a very powerful impact. 

In Biblical times, having leprosy meant an end to life as the person afflicted knew it. They were separated from their home, spouse, and children. They could no longer plow their fields, tend to their livestock, or gather with friends. Lepers were removed from their homes and towns and placed in an area outside of the town limits. They were considered contagious and unclean. And anyone with leprosy couldn’t touch anyone else, nor could anyone touch them.

In today’s world, we define leprosy as a bacterial, infectious skin disease, chronic in nature, and contagious. It affects the peripheral nerve and skin. If left untreated, it can cause disabilities that are progressive and debilitating. Although it isn’t fatal in and of itself, it can cause other serious health issues, and make others worse, such as diabetes and blood pressure. Fortunately, it’s a rare condition today, and there are cures. We aren’t sure if the leprosy mentioned in the Bible was actually the same thing as we know it today, but the consequences of having it in those times, were harsh. 

Human touch is one of the most important aspects of life. It is a form of interaction with others. Our skin does more than just act as a covering for our bones, organs, and muscular system. It is also our first indication of safety and harm through sensation. 

When you receive a hug, a gentle pat on the back, or even a simple handshake, the sense of feeling you get first registers through your skin then is immediately transferred to your brain. Your brain then releases a hormone called oxytocin, also known as the ‘feel good’ hormone, to indicate this is a good thing. 

When you are unaware of someone approaching you, and they roughly grab your arm, it is the harsh touch to your skin that signals your brain, which then releases the hormone Epinephrine – what we know as adrenaline – and engages our fear. 

But no touch at all just seems to make things worse. Touch is such an integral part of us. With and without it can strongly affect our wellbeing. Not having it can promote stress, anxiety, and lack of sleep. It can also affect our digestion and immune systems. These negative aspects of a lack of touch can begin to affect our overall health in many ways. 

There’s a reason it is referred to as ‘Touch Starvation’. You may have heard it said “Starved for Affection”.  These two are the same thing. We as humans hunger for a simple touch, hug, or even a hand to hold. 

We are created to be touched. When a woman has a baby, they are encouraged to hold them and offer physical comfort, as that human touch helps to strengthen healthy development. Throughout our entire life, we need physical contact. These touches offer encouragement and support, while lowering our stress, anxiety, and feelings of fear. 

Now let’s think about the phrase ‘I am willing’ for a moment. How many times a day do these words apply, whether spoken or unspoken? And when you say them, just how willing are you? I have to confess, I’m always willing to sit down for coffee with a friend, or to engage in handcrafts. But when I have to clean out the chicken coop, my willingness fades to almost non-existent. I say almost, because there has to be some degree of willingness to get me out there with a shovel. 

However, I know that a clean chicken coop means healthier and happier chickens. And healthy, happy chickens benefit me with both eggs and a good additive to my compost bin. So, I may dread the chore, but since I’m more than willing to use those eggs when I cook and bake, I am also willing to do what it takes to keep them coming. 

Our level of willingness to do something is usually based on the level of enjoyment we get from it. If we love it, we’re all in. If we hate it, we either drag our feet or avoid it altogether. 

In a situation that could potentially be dangerous or harmful to us, a complete lack of willingness is a good thing. I’m not willing, in the least, to rob a bank. First, I’m not smart enough to get away with it, and then there’s that going to jail thing. Being confined behind bars would seriously prevent me from getting that chicken coop cleaned, not to mention making my claustrophobia flare up so badly I wouldn’t be able to breathe again.

But I would also be harming others in the process. Think about the fear of the tellers and other customers. Think about the police officers, and the danger you place them in, when they respond. Consider the idea you are taking away from others the money they worked so hard to obtain. And from a faith perspective, think about the harm you are doing to your very soul.  

Before you act on your lack of willingness, you need to stop and think about why you aren’t willing. Okay. Walking away from robbing a bank is a good thing. But what about your lack of willingness to learn something new? This time, walking away may not be such a good thing. Learning new things is a way to stretch our minds, deepen our skills and knowledge, and strengthen our logic and self-confidence. 

What about a reluctance to meet someone new? You might be missing out on an opportunity to learn new things, expand your horizons, and possibly bring a bright spot of joy to your life or improve your overall health. Do you have to become best friends to have this? No. But just having a willingness to meet them and listen is usually a good thing. 

What about your willingness to hug or touch others? In this case, you may not be robbing a bank, but you are robbing them and yourself of a very beautiful connection, and possibly getting a little dose of the vitamin called Love.

Let’s go back to our story. Jesus didn’t say ‘I am willing’ to hear Himself talk, meet someone He might like, or to improve His overall health. These three simple words were spoken out of a deep love and desire to help. Although Matthew, Mark and Luke never said that Jesus looked the man in the eye when He spoke to Him, I would imagine He did. Looking someone in the eye when talking speaks of intention and trust. Jesus’ intention was to offer love, and to show He meant what He said. 

And then…the touch. Jesus backed up His words, reached out, and touched this man. 

Can you just imagine what was going through the man’s mind when, after years of no contact or interaction with other people, he suddenly felt the touch of Jesus’ hand? He must have had a hurricane of emotions overwhelming him. 

Confusion – why was Jesus touching Him when Jesus ran the risk of contamination? Elated – oh, how desperately he missed having even the simplest of physical contact. Fear – what would happen now? Would the priests and other people stone him for breaking the law? Would he really be healed?  Uncertainty – Would this work? Will it last? Trepidation – Would he now be accepted again? What reception would he get at home? In the town? With the priests? 

With three little words and one simple touch, a debilitating disease and a heart-wrenching lifestyle was immediately erased. A whole new world opened up for this man – not just physically, but socially, emotionally, and even better, spiritually. 

We have willingly chosen to lead a simple life. We are willing to focus on our priorities, and grow the food we eat, maintain our homes, and spend more quality time with our families.

And we are willing to offer a comforting touch. We can hug our family. We can offer support with a pat on the back of a friend. And even without actual physical contact, we can touch the hearts of those around us with a simple smile, delivering food to a neighbor, or just offering a helping hand to a stranger. 

Three little words and one simple gesture. Willingness and touch were two important aspects in the heart of Jesus. Consider how, by applying willingness and touch in our own lives, just how much better our world would be. 

Jesus is willing…are you?

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