The ad\u00a0on TV finished with the company’s slogan: “Life’s better when we’re connected.” It sparked in me how true that is, but I wasn’t thinking about banking at all. I thought of the bonds that tie us together as Christ-followers, making us One Body and Christ the head. I thought of women sitting around the table listening close, sharing their stories– what God is teaching them as they live out the days they have been given. Of letting each other into sorrows and concerns, being honest about how hard it is to grow sometimes. Of tears and soul-baring and the box of tissues passed around yet again.\u00a0How there are\u00a0hugs in the hallway and\u00a0whispers of\u00a0“praying for you,” meals brought to the doorstep and willing hands to help. No question, life is better when we’re connected, and the burdens lighten and hearts are strengthened on the journey.<\/p>\n
When\u00a0the Church-planter Paul talks about\u00a0Christ-followers being connected there is\u00a0an unmistakable whiff of joy, and the threads of thankfulness and praise start running through his words again. “Let\u00a0the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom,\u00a0singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,\u00a0with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” (Colossians 3:16)<\/em>\u00a0I see this– as God’s truth takes up residence in our hearts and we take residence in His presence– how rich our connections with each other become. And it makes sense that there is joy, because Jesus promised that “… where two or three are\u00a0gathered in my name,\u00a0there am I among them.\u201d (Matthew18:20)<\/em>\u00a0Wind, fire, breath of God moving among us, invisible and life-changing, the very presence of the One who is called\u00a0Exceeding Joy<\/em>.<\/p>\n It’s the way God meant for us to live, all the branches connected to\u00a0the One Vine\u00a0and thus to one another. Is it any wonder we would grow better that way?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n “Put on then, as\u00a0God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts,\u00a0kindness,\u00a0humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and,\u00a0if one has a complaint against another,\u00a0forgiving each other;\u00a0as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on\u00a0love, which\u00a0binds everything together in\u00a0perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called\u00a0in one body. And\u00a0be thankful.” Colossians 3:12-15<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The ad\u00a0on TV finished with the company’s slogan: “Life’s better when we’re connected.” It sparked in me how true that is, but I wasn’t thinking about banking at all. I thought of the bonds that tie us together as Christ-followers, … Continue reading