The Art of Growing Up

Sean Penn was sitting four rows in front of me on the plane last week. I was in the front of coach class, and he was in the front of a very small first class. I realized he was married to Forrest Gump’s girl, Jenny. I had never been around a famous person for quite that long before. I have spoken to basketball players, and seen movie stars. Heck I even bussed sir Elton John’s table once. This time I was trapped in a flying capsule with a star for around five hours. He didn’t look as glamorous as one would expect. Not that Sean Penn is one of the more glamorous stars out there. It was an interesting experience.
During the whole flight I found myself wondering, “what is Sean doing now?” I wondered if he ate the peanuts like we all did. Did he watch the same terrible movie that we did? Besides being in first class was he just as uncomfortable as we were? During the whole flight there was a slight buzz from the crew and the passengers around him. I must have heard “Sean Penn” whispered a dozen times. After the flight we were walking out to the street and happened to be right beside him as they scurried along, trying to go unnoticed. They skipped the baggage claim area, and went directly out to await their ride home.
This little encounter, or lack thereof taught me something about myself. I do not treat all people equally. I am not real sure how I learned it. I think my thought process went something like this.

Wow there’s Sean Penn

It must be cool to be Sean Penn

I would love to be his friend

Wait a minute Sean Penn isn’t that different from me

He has to deal with the same junk I do

His life is just as significant as mine or the homeless persons

Why do I value him higher

Would Jesus

No

I am not sure if this is rational to anyone else but it was deeply convicting to me. It reminded me of one of our core values at tribe. Dare I say it be THE core value. If tribe does nothing else our goal is to see it build relationships.
But I am locked in an internal debate around this question. Here is my concern. Can relationships of real intimacy, the kind of intimacy you had with childhood friends, be formed this late in life? Or is friend making like language learning – only easy when you are young? Are we programmed to lose this ability when we hit a certain age, or have made a certain amount of friends? DO we start out our life with a certain allotment of friend making – you can make 7 close friends and then you are done? I have to believe that this is not the case, but a lot of evidence points this way. Truth is I know it just take a lot more work.
And I still want tribe to breathe this. It is the reason why we exist and the best platform on which to reach our spiritual goals. Just because it is hard, doesn’t mean that I will give up. To all who are reading this, don’t take it the wrong way. I want your friendship so badly. I have been reading all about church planting lately, and everything tells me that it has to be done with intimate relationships. I am really desiring those. Not just to plant a church, but more because that is how I enjoy life.
Long story short – I am deeply confused by the art of growing up.
Love you guys and hope that our relationships continue to grow.