We have the utter blessing of owning a Jeep. Well, actually, the bank owns it…but anyway, you understand. And I gotta say, it’s pretty great to have a Jeep in Colorado. Feels like a luxury, yet essential to rugged life here.

Having a Jeep - if you know, you know.  It’s a whole world…like an entire culture that is rather obscure to outsiders. There’s badges, memes, and subtle competition for the baddest ride. Terrible gas mileage, wonderful adventures. Not to mention the ducks. It’s a Jeep thing.

So, there’s a thing called the “Jeep wave.” It’s all about passing another Jeep on a road, and this seemingly casual raise of two essential fingers in a gesture of greeting. The moment is kinda great. It’s the connection between two random strangers…and yet, the “I get you,” in a moment feels deeper to me than it probably should.

How did all of this Jeep-waving start? Why does this mean anything at all?  20 years ago, the Jeep wave was seemingly not as big a deal to most. Nowadays, it feels like a moment of brotherly/sisterly love that lifts me on a hard day. Is it the “I see you” aspect of it? Most definitely. Whether you are a Boomer, Millennial, Gen Z, or Gen Xer, we all appreciate moments of connection with each other in humankind. We join clubs, attend churches, and even become gang members for many reasons…because to feel a part of something is just dang awesome.

“So, in light of this - what if I chose to do one thing each week or each day that connects me to others? What is one way that I can step outside of my comfort to express the much-needed “I see you,” to the world?”

So, here’s my question: if we were built by our Creator for connections like these between people, then why is it so hard to connect? How many random moments of connection do I miss out on because I am distracted or even afraid? How much does my lack of trust for others make me want to isolate and keep to myself? These are complex issues that are not easy to solve for my community, much less myself. So, in light of this - what if I chose to do one thing each week or each day that connects me to others? What is one way that I can step outside of my comfort to express the much-needed “I see you,” to the world? Perhaps something as simple as a smile to someone on the sidewalk. Holding the door for someone. Texting a friend I’ve been out of touch with for a while. Sending a meme to a family member who will get a laugh out of it. Setting up a coffee date with a friend…even though it’s technically their turn to reach out. ;)

Life itself might have terrible gas mileage, but it can still be a wonderful adventure. We just need to offer a few gestures of kindness to make this rugged world a better place to be.