iConnect

Having connection is important for our everyday lives. Just think about your phone, iPad and even your car. These are basic levels of connection, but the bigger truth is our need for connection with God and with others. This, in itself, is much harder than making sure we charge our technology! In fact, I think this is why it’s easier to get lost in social media than have a face-to-face conversation – because our connection with God and others requires our hearts, and that is a challenge.

Have you noticed how easy it is to be disconnected from God and others?

It’s almost too easy, because we can isolate into the caves of our hearts and minds, festering on offenses, lies and ideas that close the doors of our hearts. This happens so often in our lives, leaving us unfulfilled and longing for more. The problem is, at this point the enemy uses temptation to lure us to counterfeits that give us a fleeting sense of peace. But afterward, we crash. Have you been there? We all have. The idea of connecting to God and others causes us to confront ourselves like nothing else. This connection is either a ceiling that hinders us or an open door into more of His purpose and plan.

Our opportunity is to choose iConnect as the pattern of our lives.

This speaks to a willingness to connect with God in the fullest measure we can and then to connect with others by loving them with an open heart. From this place, Jesus says in Matthew 22:37-39 that we fulfill all the commandments of the law and prophets, which are to love God and love people. I believe it’s from this place we are completed and protected in the plan He has for our lives – which is why we are attacked in these two areas. We have to remember it’s the enemy who causes strife, division, discord, bitterness, hate and unforgiveness. These are common traps we fall for regarding our connection with God and others. They leave us fractured and begin to cause us to live jaded. But there is a better way!

It’s possible to be at peace with God and others.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.”

John 3:16

Notice the iConnect that God did. He loved us, so He sent the answer through Jesus, and built the bridge for anyone be able to love God and love people. He moved first. He acted out His love for us, and He made a way for us to be with Him both now and forever. What a God we have! Therefore, our iConnect is to choose a life that opens our heart to Jesus and to others. In fact, we owe our neighbors the love of God (Romans 13:8) and we owe our lives to Him (Romans 5:8). This is the life God intends for us, and it’s the best way to live.

Yes, I know we’ve been hurt countless times by others. At times, we haven’t understood what God was doing in our lives. Yet to be free is to choose iConnect.

This is how we overcome ourselves and others. This is how we overcome our past or present struggles. This is how we overcome all the setbacks and attacks against us. His love protects us, frees us and lifts us to a place of peace.

So what’s next?

First, I encourage you to give all you feel to God. This means frustration, anger, confusion, fear and disappointment. We do this by praying out loud and giving Him the things we feel. It’s the same way we give our hearts to a person, which is to share with an open heart. This is how we connect to others, and this is how we connect to Jesus. Begin this today and allow the burden to be lifted in exchange for His peace and joy.

Once we share our hurt out loud, we expose it in the light so God can then heal that place in our lives.

Second, I encourage you to make amends with those you have hurt or those who have hurt you. This can be done by writing a letter, making a phone call, meeting face-to-face or having a mediator to assist with the conversation. All of these are powerful steps that bring healing, closure and peace to an issue. If someone is no longer living or able to have a conversation with you, I’ve encouraged others to write letters to that person to put on paper what is needed to share. Many have felt tremendous peace and healing from this.

These steps are not to prove you’re right but rather to release the person and situation from you.

From here, the process of iConnect with God and others can begin to go to new places of depth and greatness, so it’s your moment to seize. It’s your moment to allow Him to heal you. Don’t settle with being unplugged or disconnected from God or others. Life is too short, and you don’t have time to live in that self-imposed prison. God has better things for you. It’s time to live in the moment of purpose!

Have a great week and the best is yet to come,

PD