Connection in the Bible
Without connection, even people with great spiritual insight can still be turned from God. James 5: 13-20 emphasizes the importance of connection to God and to other Christians. In this passage, connection specifically through prayer stands out as the way in which “a righteous person has great power and wonderful results.”
The importance of connection shows up in a lot of other places in the Bible, too.
- In his many letters, Paul continually expressed longing to be with those he knew would encourage him and who he knew supported him.
- Members of the early church met daily because they needed the encouragement to endure persecution that only connection with each other could bring.
Conversely, an avoidance of connection often indicates a larger problem.
- Jonah did his very best to avoid responsibility by running away and disconnecting.
- Moses also ran away and disconnected in order to avoid the consequences of his mistakes.
Fortunately, God still used them. Notably though, one got reconnected and went on to be used even more by God, and the other didn’t and was never heard from him again.
Connection for Physical Health
Not only does the importance of connection evidence itself in a person’s spiritual life, connection with others on a regular basis is crucial to a person’s physical health, too.
In Connect to Thrive, experts at Psychology Today say the following regarding the importance of connection.
- Social connection improves physical health and psychological well-being.
- Lack of social connection is a greater detriment to health than obesity, smoking, and high blood pressure.
- Strong social connection leads to a 50% increased chance of longevity.
- Social connection strengthens our immune system, helps us recover from disease faster, and may even lengthen our life.
- People who feel more connected to others have lower rates of anxiety and depression.
- People who feel more connected also have higher self-esteem, are more empathic to others, more trusting and cooperative, and, as a consequence, others are more open to trusting and cooperating with them.
Extensive research on our world’s Blue Zones not only verifies but adds tremendous proof to these truths.
Connection to Strengthen the Church
As Christians, we are called to fellowship (i.e., connect) with one another regularly.
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” (Acts 2:42)
Just as Christianity grew out of connection among its individual members as they connected to Christ (1 Corinthians 1:9) and fellowshipped with the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 13:14), so too will the church be strengthened and grow through connection and fellowship. Connection creates a strong base that allows for greater effectiveness that is significant, long-term, and sustainable.
Loren Pinilis
Connection is often something that I don't prioritize in the way that I should. It's something I often think I don't need, because I don't really FEEL the drive – or at least I don't feel it as powerfully as I do other things. But the Bible clearly teaches the value of friendship and connection – so who am I to doubt that? That's really what it comes down to: am I going to trust what scripture says or trust what I feel?
Kari Scare
I struggle with connection for the same reasons, Loren. I don't FEEL like I need it. I can easily be alone, too easily. Scripture does clearly say that connection is valuable, essential & necessary. To not connect is to go against scripture and against God. Ouch! That's a powerful motivator even well beyond the benefits of connection. Great point about the need to trust what God's Word says, regardless of our feelings.
Mark Allman
I am thankful that there are different ways to connect. I am thankful that you provide this avenue for a group of people to connect. I look forward to what you, Loren, Tom, Mike, Melanie, Barb, Mary, and others have to say. I think part of the power of connection is knowing that you make an impact on people's lives. It can be highly motivating to know that and encouraging.
Kari Scare
Me too! Just like we need different people to connect in different ways, we need different ways to connect with different people. Wait, did that come out right? You get my point, I think. Impacting people's lives makes connection so powerful. I think part of connecting is letting others know they make a difference in your life, which is certainly true for all of this blog's followers and their impact on my life.
Mary
Hi all, It ia nicw to feel connected when my life is one that does not allow for a lot of interaction with others than my hubby on the road. I appreciate my cell and my laptop that allow me to connect with family and friends, and I know I need that. But the most important connection I must have is the one with ABBA. If I do not take time to connect with Him, then it is easy to have difficulty connecting with others in a positive way.As always thanks Kari for connecting all of us!
Kari Scare
Technology can be a wonderful too for connection! Connection with God energizes and motivates us to connect with others. He is the ultimate connector!
Coach_Mike
Great point. Connection requires good communication too. I was thinking about Peter losing what he thought was his connection and communication with Jesus the night Jesus was arrested. How depressed and insecure the bold Peter felt when left on his own. Fear crept in on Peter…resulting in denials of his relationship. Luke 22:62, and Peter left and wept bitterly! Mark 14:71-72, He even cursed and swore to the crowd that he was not associated with Jesus…the rooster crowing caused Peter to realize his isolation and he wept bitterly. Good news, there is hope – Read the blessing of John 21 "By the Seashore" — Peter had his connection restored and had the communication link he direly needed, and the growth of the early Church responded to his leadership, and he used his value of the connection with Jesus to help Paul get connected with the disciples in Jerusalem when they first rejected Paul. On that point, Paul and Peter, nor all the disciples, agreed on eveyrthing, but their connection allowed for them to communicate their differences that helo build the church as Jesus commanded. Loved the inspiration of your message to remind me of this truth on connection and the commiunication we all need.
Kari Scare
Peter gives another great example of lost connection that was restored. And that restoration propelled him to move forward with building the early church. The idea that we don't have to agree on everything to be connected when we have Jesus at the heart of our connection is so very important. Great additions to the conversation!