Life in Eastern Europe is a little different than what I’ve experienced in the states for the last 30+ years. From the simple differences in which we greet each other to the delicate detail and passion poured into quality baked goods and coffees enjoyed by passers-by. Accessibility to fresh vegetables and choice meets provide noticeable differences for the American who is new to “life” being done this way. (and yes I’m writing this blog on an empty stomach, but I can assure you there is more “beefy” stuff to come, hang tight!)
One major difference I’d like to share is the differences in Public Displays of Affection otherwise known as P.D.A.
A public display of affection (sometimes abbreviated PDA) is the physical demonstration of affection for another person while in the view of others
In Eastern Europe. Outside of the states P.D.A is demonstrated a little differently. But from recent experiences I’ll just focus on Eastern Europe which is littered with P.D.A. of a different kind.
P.D.A. (as defined above) is traditionally a way to show the world there is nothing more important than the love of another. No matter what someone else may think, say or believe. And this is openly and fully expressed and received with expectancy in Eastern Europe.
Now, let me be clear..I believe there is nothing wrong with a public peck on the cheek when you see a friend from long ago or a deep passionate kiss or hug for your lover. But some of the stuff I’ve witnessed openly displayed (groping, groaning, heavy breathing and dirty talk) in public should only be experienced in the privacy of ones own bedroom. Not at a local McDonalds near the kids play room.
The livelihood of P.D.A. is all that matters to those who share a love that exceeds all human understanding, so much so that others may find it offensively crude and obnoxious to be around those who bask in the glory, presence and person of another in public without regard for the personal space and perception of others.
So that got me thinking. I love “someone”. “Someone” has captured my heart. So much so, I’m dying to my selfish need to look good in the eyes of another and to show the world my love for this “The Other”. How can I show the world that I love. Not to create them jealous, show pride, be seen or cause distraction….but rather to engage hearts around the world in total immersion for the divine love that has captured my heart and desires to capture theirs. Displaying Divine P.D.A
Obviously this love that I’m talking about is not the fleeting love of man-kind. And let me not degrade the love that we have for one another, that is not the intent. Rather the intent is to acknowledge this love that we have is not the source of love that we all can experience when we seek the source of love itself.
I’ve quoted this before, but I felt it was worth doing it again.. ‘It is of immense importance to understand that every word spoken and written about God is delivered in the language of analogy. In any divine analogy, there is a similarity between the human words used about God and the reality of God himself, there is also, however, a radical dissimilarity. What is affirmed in one breath must be denied in the next. For example, we liken divine love to human love. The similarity induced us to think that we are getting a grip on God’s love. And yet, though human love is the best image we have, it is utterly inadequate to express the love of the Infinite. Not because human love is too sugary and sentimental or because it is too passionate and emotional, but because it can never fully compare with that source whence it came – the passion-emotion love of the Totally Other’. – Brennan Manning
The hearts of men can be impacted by the love of another, but it’s only when we tap into the source of love itself that brings about true change, repentance and “a-need-to-share” attitude about the love that has been given freely from one to another.
To display the affection for a loved one whom many have met and many more have yet to experience, is the anticipated outcome. I wonder what changes in hearts will come by displaying my approach to P.D.A for “The Other” where truth, peace, freedom, grace, acceptance, true love and understanding (and many more fruits of the spirit) can be found.
How did this revolution come about you ask? Well, I witnessed a Hungarian friend of mine “Viktor ” as he demonstrated what P.D.A. in his eyes for “someone” he loves looks like. I saw this and was amazed at the freedom I received just by watching his acts of purposeful kindness and selfless love demonstrated through P.D.A. This sat on my heart as a anchor of opportunity to consider a new way to share my affection, love and adoration for “someone” I love with the world. (Ephesians 3:14)
So I challenged myself to grow beyond what I think I know and step out on faith. Outside of my western mentality, outside of my “church” identity, outside of my personal comfort zone and outside of my own mental “hang-ups” about what looks good, and show a little P.D.A to the One who is good.
Do I want to show my P.D.A for “someone” special? If so..how would I do it? I know it’s normally not a planned thing…but rather something that just happens so forgive me as I do the best I can to transition for a “process of living for someone” to a “purpose in loving The One” who has loved me from the beginning.
So what does P.D.A look like for me? A westerner in Eastern Europe who desires not to be seen for the sake of being seen, but to be an impact on the unseen, to be the voice of the unheard, to be the arms and legs of the physically restricted due to historical and governmental oppression so that others may not only have the love I have, but hopefully be moved with love and repentance to a new level in which to operate from. A level of life worth showing a little P.D.A.
I guess before we reveal, we should talk about who this someone is, right? I mean this special “someone” that Viktor, myself, my team, my squad approximately 3.4 billion others on the face of the planet have a desire for the splendor of His majesty from deep within our spirit sings – Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lamb. Who is he? He’s been called by many names “Jehova – Jireh” , “Jehova Nissi”, Elohim, El Shaddai, Adonia but we mostly know him by the name Jesus.
And here is a small examples of how P.D.A. was shared with to Eastern Europe one morning while in Sofia Bulgaria. Rest assured that with fear and complete trembling I did the best I could to share my heart for God above through the finite depth of words, fragile actions of love towards the “Source of Love” accompanied by short-sighted limitations of the human language, by faith – I will continue to do the best that I can. But it’s only by the throne of grace I boldy demonstrate using what’s left of this whisper called “life” to bring “thanks-giving” in the midst of a broken world desperate for a Savior. For there is One True God who deserves P.D.A and desires our hearts – fully. I hope you are moved to share, demonstrate and embrace a form of outward expression P.D.A of your own. Not as the world defines is, but as He defined it from the beginning. Pray for the hearts of those who were around when we faithfully display acts of love and affection for the One who first showed us P.D.A. over 2000 years ago.
