This is a post in connection to the monthly prompt from Synchroblog on the topic of "Connection." Join the synchroblog to fellowship in common writing with other Christian bloggers. This month the topic is connection.
Colossians 2:9 (ESV) For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.
Connection is Christianity. Connection is probably the most important aspect of life. Connection to God, through Jesus is first. Then there is connection to family. Connection to friends. Connection to the body of Christ. Connection to country. Connection to humanity itself.
When you look at the greats in history, they're often quoted looking back on their lives.. and asked what was the most important thing? It's always the same: People, relationships, friendships, family. It's always about the next person. From soldiers coming back from war they ask, "Why did you fight?" Most often the reply is that it wasn't about the cause or the mission, it was about the soldier next to them, their friends next to them in the trenches.
“Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art.... It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things which give value to survival.”
― C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves
One of my Christian heroes Ravi Zacharias tells this story, and I'm paraphrasing, but he said that he loves philosophy. He loves reading books, he loves studying truth, reading biographies of the greats. Those things bring him great pleasure. He tells of his grandson. He had been away so much, traveling and speaking that he had arrived at him and his grandson was staring across the room at him. His own grandson did not even recognize him, very young, and just stared at him, and they both locked eyes. And for several minutes they had a sort of staring contest. Then suddenly the young boy realized it was his grandpa Ravi, and he jumped up and charged him and jumped into his arms. Dr. Zacharias said that despite all the things he's read, all the places he's been, all the philosophies and books he's studied and greatly enjoyed.. nothing could compare to that moment his grandson jumped into his arms.
“To love. To be loved. To never forget your own insignificance. To never get used to the unspeakable violence and the vulgar disparity of life around you. To seek joy in the saddest places. To pursue beauty to its lair. To never simplify what is complicated or complicate what is simple. To respect strength, never power. Above all, to watch. To try and understand. To never look away. And never, never to forget.”
― Arundhati Roy, The Cost of Living
It's all about two things, God said. He said love me. And God should be loved with all we have. That takes relationship, prayer, love, emotions, affection, study, reasoning. But it doesn't end there. Jesus didn't stop with that when asked what was of the most importance. He continued, and love your neighbor as yourself. Love your neighbor in the same way that you love yourself, and who you are. Can't escape that part. Relationship, connection includes being nice and kind to me. I must be positive, friendly, nice to myself. Then of course, I'll be nice to others.
Connection. Connection is perfected in love. Treat my God with adoration and love. Treat myself with love. Treat others with love. It's all connection, the art of connection. Giving, receiving. Forgiving, showing mercy, granting grace. Life is all about connection, and so is my faith in Jesus Christ. It's all about connection, friendship, love, affection, joy, and of course peace. A lifestyle of peace. The change I work for every day.
Blessings to you all, my friends. :) Cultivate peace and love, in connection with Jesus Christ who teaches us how to love, and then use what love he gives you, to love others and of course love yourself with a Holy love that transcends all others. Amen.
August Synchroblog Link List "Connection."
Jerry Wirtley – Connection
Sara Quezada – Can You Really Know Someone In A Different Language?
Ford – Interindependence
Michael Donahoe – Connection
Minnow – Our Dis-Connect
Justin Steckbauer – Connection in Love, it’s what Life is all about!
Carol Kuniholm – Disengagement and Connection
Wesley Rostoll – Finding Jesus In Different Places
Doreen A Mannion – A bunny, a fawn and some geese walk into a bar …
Leah Sophia – Touch of Life
Karen “Charity” Aldrich – Wuv True Wuv
Abbie Watters – Connection – Addicted to the Buzz
Liz Dyer – Human Connection and the Power of Empathy
Loveday Anyim – Why Get Connected to God when He can’t be there for Me?
