Made for Connection
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How many of you miss actual hugs- not just virtual ones?
I bumped into a friend at the mall on Thursday, and as we dodged the directional traffick arrow stickers on the ground, I was reminded of our need for connection. I blurted out: “I am so over this ‘air hug’ business, and she replied,” I know- me too, that’s why I didn’t give you one”. We texted each other and are now making plans to meet up. Although I’ve “seen her” on social media, nothing beats connection face to face and ‘facetime’/zoom is a close second. (Click here to read a previous post on “Social Media- the Dilemma” ).
As much as this pandemic has robbed our world economically, physically, relationally…, there have been some positive outcomes this past year. For starters, many are slowing down from the rat race, re-evaluating more what we truly value, and seeking to prioritize those things which include our dire need for connection. We were never meant to live life alone.
Made for Connection
When llfe’s challenges tend to push us into isolation more often than not, the lack of connection with friends and family during COVID has pushed many into deeper levels of loneliness. Yet some have grown stronger in ways had it not been for the setbacks-. Regardless, it causes me to proclaim that God is indeed Sovereign and His providential hand is reaching out to us with grace as we meander through this mess. We are created to connect with God, with ourselves and others. For me? In many ways, I look back at this last year as being more positive in my life than negative overall. I am keenly aware that others don’t share my sentiment, but it is my truth. I pray we can all dig deep and find ways in which we have grown in some way as a result of this trial.
We were created to connect deeply with God, self, and others.
Connecting with God- Because of this year’s trial, I am grateful that I have grown more passionate about incorporating more spiritual disciplines into my life in this past year. I’m reminded that my heart, my home was intended to be a sanctuary. This comes with the clear call to worship, confess, repent, give thanks, by going boldly to the ‘throne room’ of grace in our hearts with prayer and intercession.
Connecting with self- Having more home time, “me time” has given me more time to think, reflect, practice more self-care I guess? I am making peace with my google calendar knowing loving myself involves all of me- spirit, soul, body. How I prioritize my day, week, the month is how I show grace and love to myself. How can the spirit of God work in us if our vessels are all worn out?
Connecting with others- Where would I be without the sweet connections with individuals who have made this year more meaningful. Grateful for the physical distance walks, snowshoe treks, zoom, facetime chats, and studies, but more deeply meaningful conversations getting to the heart of the matter. One theological truth that is being highlighted in this season, is the importance of “bearing one another’s burdens ”to help lighten each other’s loads. As we do, we '“fulfill the law of Christ” Galations 6:2). We cannot do that if we are not connecting… if we avoid relationships.
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
In Rebekah Lyons Book “Rhythms of Renewal”, she talks about input rhythms like rest and restore, and output rhythms of connect and create. I was asked to speak on the topic of Connect on Monday, March 1t at my home church. Our province continues to have restrictions of public gatherings limiting to 30 people, and many faith communities are doing what they can with the tools or resources in their hands to connect. It’s fabulous that ministries like Grove Women are seeking to connect through in-person events and also this live-streamed option on Youtube each month for 6 weeks. I appreciate Rebekah’s message as she writes on ways we can have more sustained levels of emotional, relationship, and spiritual health, I can relate to her on so many levels given her personality and areas of struggle as a sister in faith, a woman in Christian ministry. A timely message for us all as we recalibrate into our new normal. Here’s a preview of her study:
“Every one of us wants to be fully known and fully loved. When you are vulnerable and alone, you are afraid. But when you are vulnerable with other people, You become brave. The truth is, we were never meant to be alone. We were created from connection, for connection. We were created within a triune God- Father Son and Holy Spirit. Their relationship established our need for a relationship. So when we allow people to see every part of us and they step towards us knowing those things, then we can flourish in our truest self- we can come alive and we can be free.”
Click here to learn more about the study and the personal ministry of Rebekah Lyons.
Not sure how much longer our culture will see masking as normal, or when gathering/ traveling limitations will be in place, but God knows. So, rather than simply saying to ourselves, “I am so over this”, let’s trust God to speak to our hearts of what He wants to grow in us through this testing time. The enemy of our soul sure wants to tempt us to see the world from a hopeless, devastating lens, whereas I believe the lover of our soul may be testing us in this challenging time to draw us near/ nearer to Him and his heart. Sure, some things will most likely need to be uprooted in our hearts, (attitudes, behaviors, stinking thinking, unforgiveness, apathy, bitterness, pain- or any number of attitudes or beliefs that have robbed us of renewal), as that is where peace and purpose take root when God replaces HIS joy with what we relinquish at his feet. May these “Rhythms of Renewal” serve us in building more resilience, patience, and love as we connect with God, self, and others.
“Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”
