The Electricity of Not Touching

Several weeks ago, long before the Covid Pandemic descended upon the world the way it has in recent days, our church began to use some precautions as it relates to not touching one another on Sundays.  Specifically, we asked for people during the "Passing of the Peace" to not to shake hands, but to either "fist bump" each other, or "elbow bump each other".  For people who have routinely extended hands out to one another for most of their lives, this was a big adjustment.

To be honest, we were not sure how it would go.  To my great surprise, we found that the entire room lit up with energy, and love and electricity.  People smiled at one another and joked with one another and sort of made fun of the moment (rightly so).  I have never, as a pastor, seen so many people laughing and giggling and happy and joyful as I saw during that particular "Passing of the Peace".

All of this has made me reflect for a moment about how sometimes not touching another person can be much more electrifying than actual personal human contact.

Of course, from an actual bio-physical standpoint, the human body does carry a certain amount of electrical current.  Scientists say that the human body creates about .8 to 2 volts of electricity on its own, through a complex system of bio-chemical reactions.  Depending on a persons health, and age and amount of physical activity, this number can fluctuate between people.

The more interesting question at least for me, is what happens to people psychologically when it relates to connecting or not connecting with one another physically.

I think we all probably remember way back in Jr. High when you were at a school dance, or a roller skating rink in my case, and you reached out to hold the hand of someone that you liked, and you felt this jolt of excitement and energy.  Of course this relates more, in Jr. High to hormones than it does to actual touch.  But the point is that not touching, or not touching that much can be as electrifying as actual physical touch of others.

Faith healers (including Jesus) have been known to come close to people, and raise their hand towards another person's body, and literally move them to fall down, or lose control of their physical abilities for a second.  Again, this happens largely through non-touch.

The closest analogy I can come up with for this phenomenon was an elevator ride I took once with the famed Country and Western singer Willie Nelson.  I was working in Washington DC at the time, in a US Senate office building, when who should step onto the elevator?  A short, pony tailed guy with a red white and blue bandana - Willie.  I was speechless.  I literally could not utter a word.  I would like to say, "Willie, I love your music!"  But I couldn't move my mouth.  Needless to say, Willie's impact on my physical condition was not controlled by his touch of my body.

Why am I writing this post?  Of course, the CDC has issued guidelines about six feet of social distancing for most of the nation.  We are in a time when we cannot touch one another (hand shake, hug, a pat on the back, a held hand in a hospital by a bedside), and yet, this does not impact our ability to have an impact on other people.  Smile more!  Say hello to strangers.  Let your face glow with happiness when you see a person that you know, but you cannot touch.  What you may find and discover is....

The Electricity of Not Touching

All For Now,

GB