Longing to Connect ...

The phenomenon of Facebook and other social networking media reveal the deep longing of the human spirit to connect with others, not only in conversation and relationship but ultimately spirit to spirit.

God recognizes this longing because God is the one who put it there.

And ultimately this longing to connect is satisfied most deeply and eternally by the One who has created our spirits and is himself Spirit.

Before you continue, you may want to consider an overview of the Biblical story and worldview.

Jesus said, "God is spirit, and those who worship him will worship in the Spirit and in truth." (John 4)

But how do we connect with God in this way?

Both God and we have a vital part.

God's part is that he loves us, is reaching out to us and has removed every barrier between you and himself personally by coming into this world as a human being, in the person of Jesus, facing and overcoming every expression of evil and clearing the way for you to come home, as wonderfully expressed in Jesus' parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15.

Our part is to accept the fact that God is reaching out to connect with us. Not only accept the fact, but more to the point, to accept the Christ who gave himself on the cross that every barrier between you and God be completely and permanently removed.

And how do we do that?

The place to begin is to be still and hear God say to you, "Be still and know that I am God." (Psalm  46:10)

In that stillness I would encourage you to pray very simply and with integrity from your heart (expressed in your own words perhaps),

"God I don't really know You very well yet but I'm prepared to give as much of myself as I know, to as much of You as I'm coming to know, and to move forward from there. Thank you for Jesus Christ, for reaching out to me, and for inviting me to follow Christ through life into eternity. I open my life to Christ now, asking Him to be my Saviour and my Lord. Amen."

Secondly I would suggest to tell someone else, including someone who is following Jesus, that you have made the decision you just expressed to God in prayer. With that friend discover and engage in a community of those who follow Jesus.

Thirdly I would suggest you begin the read the New Testament and read something of the Bible every day.

Fourthly I would encourage you to apply to your life and relationships in a practical way to something that you read in the Bible or see in your relationship with Christ each day. In that way you will see more and more clearly the difference connecting with God makes for your good and the good of those around you.

Fifthly I would encourage you to be still and pray, spirit to spirit, many times a day, speaking and listening with your wonderful Friend.

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