Yesterday my wife and I had the privilege to tour Cades Cove in the Smokey Mountains of Tennessee. As we have traveled it has always intrigued me to see how relationships so quickly form in the midst of a common interest. We had stopped to visit an historic Methodist church built by J.D. Campbell in the 1820’s. During the civil war the church was divided just as many other churches were. Conflict often divides relationships but unity of interest often unites. As we entered the door of this building several tourists had gathered around an old piano, actually it did not even have foot pedals and the sound was somewhat out of tune. One of them began to play an old hymn and immediately all those gathered in this little church began to sing. I would estimate that there were thirty people present. The singing was heartfelt and everyone sang from their heart. You could feel the unity in faith that was present. It did not matter what religion you were at that moment we all were unified in worship. Some sang harmony, some raised their hands, but everyone was involved. The old church came alive again and for a moment if only briefly unity was once again established.
I have also found that people who have suffered a loss of health or loved one have a special comradery with those who are suffering the same. It is like an invisible bond that draws us together. It does not matter ethnic culture or the color of your skin, there is a unity in suffering. I remember some time ago in a very difficult time in my life as I was in intensive care after open heart surgery. I had acquired pneumonia after surgery and had finally recovered from that when things went wrong again and I was rushed into intensive care. I remember feeling very weak and so very depressed. I remember sitting up in my bed asking God for help and strength to make it through yet another challenge to my faith. It was in the early hours of the day when the sky was so dark and there was no one around to distract me from my pain that I faced another challenge to the depth of my trust in God. . It was around 2 a.m. when the door opened and a woman walked in. She asked if she could sit next to me on the bed and when I said yes she sat down and held my hand. I do not remember her saying anymore, she did not have to for I knew she understood where I was, physically and emotionally. She was not in a hurry and did not fidget. I felt extreme comfort in her presence there, it was as if she were telling me that she understood my pain and the fear that I was experiencing. After a time she rose and left, but what she had left in the wake of her visit was a sense of unity that I was never alone.
Many times we feel that suffering and pain bankrupt us spiritually and physically, but in reality these things only open up the door to increased relationships that run deeper than just friendship. Our hearts reach out to those who are hurting because we have hurt. Our eyes fill with tears when others cry because we have cried. Our hearts fill with love and empathy because others have shared their strength with us born through their own experiences.
Just as we walked into the old Methodist church alone we did not leave alone because our hearts were united with others who loved God and shared the same purpose in His service.