Connection

 People connect when they associate with one another or are linked together. Each day we have multiple opportunities to connect with others. Some people choose not to connect. This could be for various reasons. Some have been severely wounded by people they once trusted. Others have been abused physically or psychologically and they simply do not trust people.

We were created to connect with people. This should happen within the context of family. I connect with Brenda and our four sons on a deeper level than I connect with other people. We also connect with extended family, friends, people we worship with, and others in the community. 

Nobody connected with people better than Jesus. He connected with people from all walks of life. Rich and poor, moral and immoral, wounded and broken, shunned and shamed, religious and irreligious. Jesus looked past the external appearance and loved people where they were. He still does. He sees past what others see. Skin color, piercings, tattoos, colored hair, body shapes, and clothing styles. Jesus even connects with people who have checkered pasts they are not proud of and try to hide. Jesus made connecting with people a high priority when He walked this earth. He still connects with people through activities like prayer, Bible reading, and worship. 

Sadly, some churches lose sight of Jesus' example. Christians often judge people outside their holy huddles whom Jesus loves and desires to form connection. Religious people often get hung up on traditions of men and miss out on the main mission of connecting people who are disconnected. Connecting with people starts with caring. Caring leads to compassion. Compassion often leads to connection. This may take time. 

 Jesus walked slowly through the crowds. He was often inconvenienced by the sick, demon possessed, outcasts, and immoral people. He made time for them. He listened. He felt compassion for them. He loved them and helped them. We are mandated to do the same. 

Christians are supposed to do the same things. We are told not to judge. [Matt 7:1-5], to forgive [Matt 18:21-22], and to love [John 13:34-35]. If we did a better job of doing those things I suspect houses of worship would be more crowded. Churches would be filled with people of varied pasts, races, and cultures. Connection would Jesus can bring transformation to individuals, families, and even communities. 

One day I was talking to the janitor of my home church who was also the worship pastor at another church. He did what he called street ministry. He and his church went into the slums to talk to people about Jesus. They encountered gang members, drug addicts, alcoholics, pimps and prostitutes. I can't forget how he started weeping and said, "Those people want to connect with Jesus, but they can't get to Him because they stumble over church people who get in the way." 

O God help us. May that not be true of the Christians in Hutchinson county. May Christians go the extra mile to connect with people. To love the unlovely. To go after the forgotten and neglected. To seek sinners and welcome them rather than shun them. I remind each of us, at one time, we were the sinners Jesus connected with and brought into the fold. We must extend the same kindness to those who need to be connected with the Savior.