Time

I have been in Myrtle Beach on Summer Project for a while now, and this past week I have been struck by my perceptions of the effect of time on relationships. I have this unspoken understanding that in order for me to bond to others in relationship I need to spend copious amounts of time with that person, share experiences, and gradually get to know them. This week has challenged my subconscious perception…

The students have only been here for about a week, and already we’ve begun to develop incredibly close and open relationships….we have shared with each other things that very few others have heard. In short, authentic, Christ-centered community has sprouted in the course of about 7 days. That’s amazing!

I find myself rethinking my misconceptions of the time needed in order to build a real relationship.

However, I believe that the key ingredient necessary for deep relationships to form in a short amount of time (think: incoming freshmen) is that the involved parties are committed to one another and the relationship. Permission needs to given and taken to be open, honest, real, and vulnerable; to be fully known and still be fully loved. The men on this project came with the understanding and expectation that they were going to be open and honest, and thus have the chance to experience the kind of relationships that few will experience. It works.

-Ethan Wiekamp