Proximity in simple terms means closeness. My focus will be on proximity to people. This post is especially for those who refuse to have close relationships for whatever reason i.e. they refuse to allow themselves to be loved and to love others truly. You meet someone, you find common ground, you start to grow closer, then you pull away leaving the other person feeling confused. Does this scenario ring a bell?

As iron sharpens iron,
so a friend sharpens a friend

Proverbs 27:17 (NLT)

I understand that there are many risks attached to letting people come close. For one, you could get really hurt if they betray your trust. Also, there could be serious conflict from differing opinions and personalities. In a previous post, I shared about friendships and different characteristics of friends. Those characteristics can really only be expressed when there is proximity (not just physical proximity).

Two people are better off than one,
for they can help each other succeed

Ecclesiastes 4:9 (NLT)

Proximity is a privilege and should be treated as such. There are certain people that may have given you the privilege of proximity to them. Cherish it. Use it to build them up. Don’t treat it lightly. All in all, I believe the benefits of proximity far outweigh the dangers. We cannot live this life alone. We need others, but we cannot get the related benefits without proximity.

Final Thoughts

You should be careful who you give your gift of proximity to. Not everyone needs to be that close to you. By being prayerfully selective, you can guard against some of the risks of proximity.

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Do you have people you can truly say have proximity to you?

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