There’s no denying: many of us can be a little challenging for others to digest at once because of specific behaviors and beliefs that can sometimes drive people away. These people can be your negative coworker, an irritating family member at the cookout using constant foul language, or even that person you only see once in a blue moon, who always manages to bring up the past that you would like to forget. It can also be that neighbors that keep you on your knees, only to pray that they’ll move far away from the neighborhood.
But when we are left feeling disconnected and unforgiving towards others, how do we find our way back to reconnection? Well, I believe C. S. Lewis, author of Mere Christianity said it best, “How could you hate what a man did and not hate the man? But years later it occurred to me that there was one man to whom I had been doing this all my life—namely “myself.” However much I might dislike my own cowardice or conceit or greed, I went on loving myself.” We have to learn how to focus on the value of the other person as it will help create joy, peace, and satisfaction to us all.
People are still trying to figure out how to have the connection that creates an authentic relationship even after they’ve experienced the impact of betrayal. Whether we are trying to find that godly husband or wife – even after a divorce, or figure out how to grow a tribe or network for our recently birthed company, we find ourselves in need to connect with others more often than none.
Unfortunately, spending quality time with others can be difficult at times, especially when you have a demanding career. It’s even most difficult when you have the following: long commutes, a traveling career, children in sports, and personal errands. It can be difficult for a person to open the door to get to know someone and allow them to become a part of their personal space due to lack of time. However, trying is essential in order to create the space we need to connect with others.
Despite the difficulty to be established, I have learned that our need to connect is as fundamental as our need for food and water. Many churches today are opening doors to the communities to do life together so that their congregation doesn’t have to wait to receive a message from the pulpit on Sunday mornings. Going into the cities and making more disciples outside the walls of the church is necessary for spiritual growth, divine health, divine connection, adequate training, and personally experiencing the transforming power of God’s Spirit unleashed in the communities.
Additionally, many other things connect us to people, i.e., internet services to stream, phone calls, and emails. However, when services are not properly functioning, it’s harder to manage a business or to keep the flow of things going.
Though all of these things are important to note, more importantly though, is how our connection with God is flowing. We know how to log in to a computer every morning when we get to work, but are we first logging into God before walking into that building or upon waking up in the morning?
I have heard many people say that they don’t have to get up in the morning to praise God or worship Him because they can do it any time of the day.
Although this may be right or even their reality, are you willing to face a hectic and crazy moment without first putting on the armor of God? When the enemy comes, he’s come dressed and ready, and he’s not playing fair. Moreover, at that moment of chaos, you won’t have time to drop on your knees and pray. Prayer is best done beforehand so that God can release the angels needed to go before you… before you step foot out your doorway.
“Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?” {Matthew 26:53 NIV}
Can we call the color “black” black, a “spade,” a spade, “lazy,” lazy and stop making excuses? Again, how critical is it to have a divine connection with the Heavenly Father?
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” {Romans 12:2 NLT}
What can you personally do today to get a better and more active connection with God?
Here are some simple steps to an extraordinary connection:
Be still: Although meditation is sometimes frowned upon, its benefits help us quite our minds and be one with God. Being still has an essential impact on us hearing the voice of God. Also, more importantly, when in connection with God, we have to have a two-way communication where we ask a question and are still until He answers. It takes time and practices like anything else we learn.
Read and Meditate on the Word: Did you know that the Bible is alive? “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” {Hebrews 4:12 NIV}
Who wouldn’t want to connect to a book that’s alive? God said, He is the Word. Sometimes there are versions of the Bible that are difficult to understand; however, there are versions that may be suitable for you, i.e., The Message version or NIV Translation. Moreover, the best news is that the Holy Spirit will give us knowledge and wisdom to understand.
Worship: God is gracious; he gives us a family, homes, cars and a bunch of other tangible and helpful things when we are here on this earth for one purpose, and that’s to worship Him. It is our job to worship a God Whom sent His Son and became the second Adam, and took on the iniquity of us all. He deserves All glory, All honor, and All praise. When you worship Him, He comes close to you with such intimacy, such freedom, and such power and at that moment nothing else matters. Even the atmosphere shifts and the glory of God starts to manifest.
“Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.” {James 4:8 KJB}
Take Action: Create a Prayer Closet or War Room where you can create space for you and God. “But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.” {Matthew 6:6 KJB} Additionally, this is where the long commute becomes beneficial to some of us. Sitting in traffic for a few hours allows us to pop in some worship music and go at it, or even pray.
When you see God for who He is, as Isaiah did in the Bible, you start to look at yourself for who you really are. Yes, sometimes it’s in awe to imagine what it feels like to connect to God because there’s really no source for comparison. To give you a visual, it’s like the artist who finally created that famous masterpiece or that orchestra that created that perfect melody, but most of all that reassurance in your spirit that all is well!
Amen. I like your way
Amen. Thanks, Ben!