Created for Connection
When asked which commandment of Moses was the most important Jesus replied, “’You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Matthew 22:37 – 39
I spend a lot of time thinking about God. I’m eager to know more of who He is. I also want to understand more of who I am, why I was created, and to fulfill the purpose given to me by my Creator. This past year, I did a study on the book of Genesis through Bible Study Fellowship (also known as BSF). Revisiting the Creation story gave me a deeper appreciation of the intimate relationship God intends to enjoy with each of us. I visualized in a fresh new way the moment God breathed His own breath into Adam, face to face – like a kiss, an act reserved for treasured intimate relationships. And just a few verses later God announces it is not good for Adam to be alone. God created us not only for connection with Himself but to others. Sadly, we know these relationships lost their sweetness and intimacy due to sin; still connection was the plan right from the get go. Connection is in our very DNA. It’s what our Creator wired us for. God’s heart is for us to be fully connected to Him, like a branch to a vine, and for us to be connected to each other – loving our enemies as well as our neighbors. These are the two greatest commandments – but we can’t keep them, not on our own. God sent Jesus to help us reestablish these vital connections that are our very purpose for living. Once we accept Jesus as our Savior from our sins, he equips us to live and love through the power of his Holy Spirit. Our hearts are filled, giving us the love and power needed to reestablish and strengthen our connection with God and others.
Prayer: Abba – relationships of love are the greatest & most fulfilling connections we can experience. This is what You created us for and commanded us to pursue. It is the nature of the fullness of your divine love to share itself. Open our hearts to receive and enjoy the love You desire to lavish upon us. We offer it back to You, employing every part of ourselves – heart, soul, and mind to pursue connection with You. Each day let us return to the place of your unending fullness so your love will continually flow through us to every person You place in our path. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
– Lisa Brown