Connecting with each other

By now you will be aware that I am sold out on the mandate of CONNECTING. A little while ago I introduced this idea of :-

CONNECTING with God
CONNECTING with each other
CONNECTING with our community

There are two passages of Scripture which bring focus for me in this aspect of connecting with each other:-

 1 Corinthians 12: 12-31 this passage reminds us of the infinite value that every single person has to making up the whole, and this whole to which I refer is the Body - the church. I become very aware that none is exempt and we need to be doing all that we can (those of us who are a part of the church) to ensure that we are inclusive of those who come amongst us. There are people for whom the feeling of being insignificant and insufficient is a very real experience, and this is not confined to an out-of-church experience (sadly). Yet this Scripture reminds us that ALL are necessary to make for the body to be functional and healthy. Without each person finding their place and operating to capacity, as they are designed, the body is placed under immense and unnecessary pressure. We need to learn better that none are more important that others, only different. Our Lego block becomes a good representation of this for us, they are different in shape, size, colour, etc.

Hebrews 10: 19-25  this passage reminds us of the importance of meeting together regularly, and compels us that we don't stop doing this. Some of the important reasons for this are highlighted in the following for us and come from various translations:- 

• the need to be motivating one another on to acts of love and good works
• we should encourage one another
• consider and give attentive, continuous care 
• study to show how we might stir up (stimulate and incite) to love and helpful deeds and noble activities
• be inventive in encouraging and helping out

Another aspect that is important to consider is what our strong connection to one another reveals to the world around us. It reveals our relationship to Jesus and the difference He makes in our lives and relationships, believe it, people do notice. Sometimes the greater reality is that people question why we are not different at times, why the unforgiveness, bitterness, conflict is so rife within the church, because they expect a difference in people who profess to be the church. 

So here is the deal for us. We are a people created to be in relationship with God, in touch with the Creator. Learning, developing, growing and bearing fruit from this relationship. However, the relationship circle widens to encompass one another, whereby we look out for the interests of each other. Encouraging, spurring on into greater things. Identifying that EVERY person has a place and is vital to the whole, that makes up the body. In each person finding their place, this body becomes fully functioning and grows and produces good fruit from it's labours.

You have a functioning part to play in the body that is the church. Are you finding that place? 

Just like us ...

As I read from Hebrews tonight there was something I began to realise afresh. Often my thinking is drawn to the divineness of Christ. As God dwelling amongst us. With all His awesome power and authority and ability to stand firm and against the powers of the world.

And yet, at other times I will have focused on the humanness of Jesus. Drawing the parallels which remind us that He was just like us, He got thirsty, He was hungry, He needed sleep for He was tired.

Yet in Hebrews I am reminded that Jesus became human so that He could save me. He needed to be human to die and conquer death, breaking the power death has over me as a mortal being. In this way He could free me from any fear of dying. The writer continues:

Hebrews 2:16-17 (New Living Translation)

16 We also know that the Son did not come to help angels;

he came to help the descendants of Abraham.

17 Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in

every respect like us, his brothers and sisters,

so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God.

Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people.

It makes me realise again the nature of God’s plan for me. That He would give up His Son that I could have life in abundance and fullness through Him (Jesus).

I like this final verse from this chapter too:

Hebrews 2:18 (New Living Translation)

18 Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing,
he is able to help us when we are being tested.

Here I am reminded that Jesus knows what it is to be tested, so when I cry out to Him in my times of struggle, He knows what I am going through. He understands the pressure and the temptation and the struggle for me to stay true. Yet I also am aware that victory is possible. For if Jesus can become like me and make it through even tougher experiences than I will ever know, then surely I can have great hope in Him to see me make it too. I am going to lean on this, learn from this, rely on this.