1 John 3:14 “Anyone who does not love remains in death.”
John Ortberg wrote: “I have never known anyone who failed at love yet succeeded at life. I have never known anyone who succeeded at love and failed at life. We need love to live.” He’s not limiting failed or successful love to marriage, by the way. This applies to all of us, whether married, divorced or never married. We need love to live.
We were made to be connected to others. We will stagnate if we are disconnected but thrive and flourish if we are connected with God and people. It is all too easy to become isolated and disconnected in our society. But this is dangerous. It leads to self-absorption and giving in more easily to temptation and discouragement. Disconnected people are between two and five times more likely to die from any cause than people who are rooted in their community or family.
The life-giving power of being connected is seen in Winston Churchill. He had a long-lasting strong marriage with his wife, was deeply engaged with his offspring, had a close network of friendships, and he loved his work and his country. His lifestyle, however, was far from a healthy one – he smoked cigars constantly, drank too much, ate to excess, slept sporadically, and took no physical exercise – and yet he lived to be nearly ninety. When somebody once asked him: “Mr Churchill, do you ever take any exercise?” He replied: “The only exercise I get is serving as a pallbearer for my friends who died whilst they were exercising!”
We’re not endorsing his lifestyle – far from it, see 2nd January’s entry – but the point being made here is that we are hardwired for connectivity. Meaning is found in community, not individualism. Are you plugged in at church, or just a passive spectator each week? Are you living life connected at the moment? If not, choose to do something about it today.
Lord, I choose to live my life connected with others. Amen!
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