Connection

Connected: For many, trying to understand their place in this world or how to connect with others is an all-consuming thought. “Why am I not understood? Why can’t others see me the way that I see myself? Why can I not succeed? Why do I feel so unfulfilled?” These questions are deeply personal and affect the way people live their lives. Everybody at some point or another feels deeply misunderstood and yearns to be connected to others. In mankind’s great pursuit for this connection, many have set themselves to seek external validation. This action of seeking out external validation has controlled societies past and present and placed the opinion of others as the measurement of self-worth. Unfortunately, the person who relies on this will never be content, for those who love fame consider another man’s opinion to be his own good, and as long as he depends on that, which is not his own, he will live in fear. This fear is derived from the possibility that his standing can be lost or taken from him at any moment. A person who lives for external validation eventually becomes unstable and disconnected as the fear of losing their worth is ever-present. The irony of this cycle of external validation, is that eventually, a person will find themself back at square one thinking the same thoughts of…why do I feel so unfulfilled? Why don’t people understand me? A life lived for external validation ultimately leads to regret because you have chosen to seek out what is valued by others, rather than what is valued by God.

Freedom: As humans, we recoil at the thought of our freedom being suppressed, yet how easily do most of us hand over our minds to anyone who insults us. When we allow the words of others to dominate our thoughts we allow them to be masters over us. This can crush a person’s spirit and beat them down mentally as they dwell upon the hate and hurt they have received. This is why social media is extremely traumatizing to many as it is a vast landscape of hateful comments. Studies have shown the more frequently social media is used, the greater the rise in depression. But the internet isn’t the only place a person encounters hurtful comments. They can come from anywhere at any time. So how does a person not let the words of others affect them? By knowing who and what you are in Christ Jesus! There is no pettiness in God. God loves us. He doesn’t add burdens, He lifts them. “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”  —  Matthew 11:28–30. Only in the face of God will you find freedom. Freedom from worry and fear and most importantly freedom from sin. “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”  —  John 16:33. If you find yourself struggling to cope with the pressures and insults you receive, know that God is ready to comfort you always, but you must choose to lay your burdens down. “Casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.”  —  1 Peter 5:7.

Bad Connection: Being connected doesn’t mean you have to give up your right to your thoughts or tenets. However, more and more in our society today, people are being bullied and pressured to join this social movement or that social movement. It even happens within churches. Many churches now yield to the outside influence of society and let them dictate the message and doctrine. The church was never meant to conform to the world, but rather, reject the ways of the world. Unfortunately, the theme today in the modern church is that we need to be more relevant and accepting. It sounds like nice words, but the true aim behind statements like this is that the church needs to alter its beliefs, accept certain types of sin and rethink the gospel. This is wrong. For us, we believe God is the same yesterday, today and forevermore. The Words of Jesus and the Bible are just as relevant today as there were in any age. We need not change it, alter it, or shy away from it. It is the truth and in it is the power of eternal life. “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.” — 2 Timothy 4:3–4.

God With Us: Ever since the fall of Adam, mankind has sought to find its way back to God. Our separation is the sin nature we have inherited from the garden, but our victory is our faith in Jesus who restored all things. In this life, there will be hardships and suffering, but in the one to come there is perfection and peace for all eternity. When we know who and what we are in Christ Jesus there is the power to live victoriously. This spiritual knowledge helps us to overcome and face all onslaught with virtue and courage. You will be tested and you will be despised for your beliefs, but as you stand strong, the light of hope will fill you and you will be free in Him. “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”  —  John 8:32. Strengthen your bonds with those close to you and lift up the brokenhearted for you also know the pains of defeat. Happy is the man who helps make others better and leads many to the light. “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”  —  Matthew 5:16.