One of the things I’ve always struggled to do, or maybe I should say struggled to ‘be’ is myself, even today I still carry this legacy from a broken past.

The thing that I’ve always admired (grudgingly) is that some people can just be themselves ‘anywhere, anyplace, anytime’ with little or no thought whatsoever as to the consequences. In the back of my mind is the thought that who I am, and more importantly what I am will just not cut it. Some people in being themselves cause great offence, but at the same time they live in a great space, one that’s largely free of the insecurities, frailties, and neurosis that I may feel.

Parker Palmer describes most people as ‘shy souls’ only coming out when the coast is clear, when there is no sense of danger, or harm sadly most people never find this place.

Now I have a number of friends (a small number) who have understood this about me (intuitively) and its has created an environment, where I feel safe to bring out the real me, the one who is always hanging about in the shadows waiting for an invitation, this invite by the way is never verbal. Creating the right environment is no small thing, it’s not a place that most would even consider, it’s not for the brassy, the bold, the outspoken, it’s a place of gently embrace, one where I and you, are really and truly heard, where we are given unconditional space and unlimited time.

This is the picture that Jesus brings to my mind, time and time again through some of the beautiful, touching, intimate connections he had with people, think of the ‘women caught in the act’ when he had managed to ‘rid this space’ of those who had no idea, from those who had not the slightest understanding of any warmth, or connection, they are the tyrants of every era, look a little harder you will find them in your church, they create the walking wounded.

Lets continue with the story; moments after this space became a ‘sacred space’ the dust settled, the noisy throng had disappeared, he draws along side her, giving her plenty of space and plenty of time, words were not needed (a new concept !) looking into her eyes, making sure that she was fully present, making sure she was with him, if not he would have waited, he simple says; “ neither do I condemn thee, go and sin no more’ this was a gently loving suggestion, not some command that was barked out at her, she was heard, and in being heard, she was also liberated. Make no mistake whatsoever, that this was conveyed through every fibre of his being, she understood this long before these words were spoken.

Jesus creates a place a ‘sacred space’ where you and I can be ourselves, not only does he make this possible, but he creates a space where we can for the very first time discover the real me, the real you, and for most of us, this is the greatest discovery of all, because in finding myself, I find that he has been there all along, just waiting and longing for me to come home.