Embrace

There is a book called “Exclusion and Embrace” by Miroslav Volf. It opens thought buckets that are deep, refreshing and unusually challenging. Volf’s treatment of the story of the prodigal son is a defining work and worthy study as a stand alone topic.

Volf teaches about what an embrace is, when seen as a series of  movements that are meaningful motions. More than a hugs; an embrace is the  act of  joining another human in love, compassion, unity, comfort, acceptance on an occasion of emotional, celebratory or meaningful attraction. I may have made a statement with my words to another, but an embrace is a statement with my body; my movable, malleable soul.

An embrace is a pure and true action of human affection isn’t it? We, for a moment or a minute or an hour, surrender ourselves into the arms of another; vulnerably.  Volf offers four stages; (he calls them a drama) of embrace that are elements of the action and create a poetic, beautiful expression of love. They are simple steps, yet profound and can be deeply spiritual. Lets for a moment slow down and move through the stages of an embrace. If you are a sports fan, think of it as a slo-mo replay of a score! If you are a very manly man, add a hearty back slap.

First, there is opening of the arms. Christ on the cross postures identically, bidding all men to “come to” him? I open my arms in sacrificial invitation. Try this, if you like, where you are.  Yes, open your arms and hold them open, in invitation. What is it like? What adjectives describe your senses? Do you feel the feeling of open humble summons? The next part of embrace is waiting for you.

Now we must wait for the one we have opened our arms to. They have a choice; they can leave us waiting or join in the embrace as a partner. It is a choice of their will. If I embrace another against their acceptance, it is an act of violence against them and a sin. A forced embrace becomes a body prison. Joining in the embrace together, willingly, says, yes, I am human and intertwined in life’s unfolding drama of adventure with you.

Next it takes four arms to embrace and hold another. The two become one sharing an emotional and bodily presence that heals and confirms that we  trust each other. Two are answering Jesus prayer that they may be “…one even as we are one” creating divine mini-community on earth. How powerful an expression is an embrace, to man to woman; to God? Has seeing an embrace ever brought tears to your eyes or joy to your heart? Do you remember the time? Was it your embrace?

Last is the release of the one we have embraced. Isn’t the release so often accompanied by a smile; or by kind words? Isn’t there a feeling of enrichment and peace after an embrace? The completion of the act signals that something is different about us. Aren’t we better, more alive, more free and closer to God and the form of life or living we were designed for?  The miracle of embrace bonds friendship as I become part of another through the act of meaningful embrace! 

Volf's teaching lets me slow down this movement of embrace and appreciate every part of it and see that it is far richer a movement than I ever understood before.