What are they?
Dictionaries claim they are “a link, or a bond”; “association; relationship”; “a
circle of friends”…
We think of
connections in more technological terms, in this era.
We constantly
have an internet connection, a cellphone connection etc. we connect to wifi, we
connect to cable, we connect or disconnect our phone lines. We’re connected to
Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter, Instagram, Words with Friends… *insert your
favourite here* (I know you have one – or five – you social networking
junkie!!)
But for what
purpose? What do all of these “connections” have in common.
My Dad always
told us growing up (and still does), “no matter what happens in life, always
remember – it’s ALL about Relationship”.
But isn’t that
what we do everyday? We connect to the internet to build up relationships?
But what did we
do without all this confounded technology. I don’t know about you, but my
parents and grandparents had no need to be “connected” to social networks or
even to a smartphone that can connect you to ALL your favourite social networks
at the same time!
What if life
were simpler than that… perhaps a connection is simply an unseen bond between
people.
And yet, not so
simple at all.
Have you ever
had a friend that from the very first moment you met them, there was that
connection?
Perhaps you
were children, bonding over favourite Mandie mystery novels, and then your
friendship grew into an amazing bond that couldn’t be shaken, even though teen
drama and just the existence of time and space tried to drive a wedge between
you. In the end it didn’t matter. Your connection was too strong.
Or perhaps you
were older when a connection like this came along. Old enough to choose who you
were investing your time in.
Who you choose
to do life with and let have an influence on you makes all the difference.
You are who you
hangout with. Look around, who have you made a connection with?
A personal
story…
I remember when
I was just starting to stretch my wings in this big old world.
Through some
crazy circumstances God took me (literally) to a little church in the
middle-of-nowhere-land.
I’ll never
forget that first Sunday. Unsure of where I was and what God was doing in my
life at the time… I was searching for something I couldn’t describe then.
Today, for lack
of a better description, I can say I was searching for a “connection”.
To what and
who, I wasn’t sure.
But that first
Sunday I made one connection in particular…
She doesn’t
remember it, but I will never forget.
She was the
only person – the first in a long time – that I had a real conversation with.
I was the
shyest girl in the world, but that instant connection was all it took to make
me feel at home in a crazy world I didn’t understand.
Two and a half
years later, and we haven’t stopped talking since.
Some things
can’t ever change with friendships like these… if the connection is strong, one
look can see through your walls and defences.
It’s impossible
for me to lie when she asks “how are you?”
The link to our connection is this - Jesus.
Without Him, we wouldn't be who we are, and we couldn't live life as we are.
I could go on
and on… but the point is this.
There’s this
thing in life called a connection.
It’s often
inexplicable, but God created it.
Man has tried
desperately to cheapen our connections with false advertising designed to
“protect” us from getting hurt. Or even to falsify our connections by
brainwashing us with social networking.
But God has a
better plan.
God made the
greatest connection when He bridged the gap between Himself and His
image-bearers (that’s you and me).
Jesus is the
greatest connection you will ever make.
With Him at the
centre you can’t possibly lose out!
The only way
you can ever become disconnected to His network is if YOU choose to let go!
When you’re
connected to Jesus everything else just… connects.
Friendships,
family… and then these often intertwine.
The family of
God is an amazing place to be.
This is what
the Church was designed to be.
A place of love
and acceptance – a family.
A place where
connections could be made and we can encourage eachother in the difficult
times, and celebrate with one another in the exciting times.
Sometimes the
world tries to taint us with the expectation that people connections can fill
the void first, and Jesus comes second or third… or maybe its been even more
than that for you.
If you have
believed this, I’m sorry. That’s a lie.
The world is
wrong.
It’s your
connection with Jesus that needs to fill every aspect of your life.
Think of it,
friendship without Jesus in the centre often ends in wounds and bitterness. And
in the end only God can heal that.
Connections to
your authorities – those who have input in your life – can only work if you
first recognize that God chooses your authority, and you need to trust Him and
obey.
Romantic
relationships I can’t even begin to elaborate on or I’d be here all night!
But let me just
say that it breaks my heart to see people set out on the adventure of romance
without the connection of Jesus at the centre… it fizzles out faster than a
candle in the rain.
Just look at
the latest celebrity news and you’ll know just how well marriages without Jesus
in them can last.
I’m sure it
breaks our Creator’s heart… it wasn’t His plan at all.
But…
When we are
truly connected to Jesus, it is incredible how He works things out in life!
Suddenly our
friendships are deeper and richer.
We find that
with His help we can trust our authority and respect their input in our lives.
And especially,
with Jesus at the helm of our romantic endeavors – we are much less likely to
stray into the uncharted waters of mistrust, temptation, guilt, shame, and
regret.
I don’t know
much about romance myself… but recently I discovered that even the simple fact
of praying for a friend can reinforce your connection to Jesus.
When we connect
to Jesus and begin to understand His heart on matters, I often find that as I’m
asking something specific for someone, it is often exactly what they needed at
that precise time of day.
Let me just
leave you with this last thought…
What if God had
a bigger connection for all of us?
What if we’re
missing out on a more significant connection just for the simple fact that we
“forget” to get connected to Jesus everyday?
How should we
get connected?
First – read
your Bible. Pray. Cultivate your relationship with Him first. Your vertical
relationship has to be connected before you can ever expect to have your
horizontal relationships work out.
I can’t begin
to describe how important this is!
And second – …
There is really
nothing else!
Jesus first –
everything else will fall into place.
I promise… the
more you seek Him the more you’ll find Him – the more you find Him, the more
you’ll love Him.
He is life.
With Jesus at
the centre, it’s impossible for you to lose in life – or even in death.
Connection.
Think about it…
what are you connected to?
