The Power of Connection

“Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” (1 Cor. 13:12)

As a child, we long for the days when we can be free and do whatever we want. As a young adult, we long for the days when we can travel and see the world. Hopefully, by middle age, we have figured out that having more freedom and seeing beautiful sites only take us so far in life. For you see, while these attributes are wonderful blessings in life, we were created for more. We were created for connection, connection with God and with others.

By “connection,” I don’t mean small talk or friendships that come and go. By “connection,” I’m referring to deep, personal conversations with people who truly love AND accept you for you. Have you experienced that kind of connection? Do you know what it’s like? It’s amazing! It’s powerful! And it’s what we were created for! That’s why we feel lonely sometimes, because deep down we long for this type of connection, with God and with others.

As a counselor, one of the most common presenting problems for my clients is loneliness (either past or present). In fact, I find that many times this loneliness and lack of connection leads to many types of addictions, such as pornography or food addictions. And doesn’t that make sense? Because if we were created for connection, then a lack of connection creates a void in us. So then we try to escape that disconnection through momentary pleasures that ease the pain.

Perhaps you’ve experienced this type of loneliness, where you actually ache inside and don’t feel like you belong. It is an awful way to feel, and at some point in your life you WILL feel it…because we live in a fallen world, and we were made for more.

After personally experiencing this type of loneliness, I have been reminded: 1) To pour out my heart to Jesus whenever I am sad or hurting 2) To seek out close connections with others whenever I can (and appreciate the ones I already have)  3) To be more compassionate towards others who may show their ugly side because of their own loneliness 4) To realize that in this world we will always have some sense of loneliness and disconnection.

Recently I listened to a podcast called “Relational Longings” by Janet Aucoin on Revive our Hearts, which helped to inspire some of my thought processes in writing this blog. In this podcast, Janet brings up a good point…do you think that Adam and Eve were lonely as they walked with God in the garden each day? No of course not! Janet postulates that they probably didn’t even know what the word “loneliness” meant. Could you imagine never feeling lonely for even a split second in your life? That’s what it means to walk with God in the fullest sense.

In 1 Corinthians 13:12, Paul says it perfectly: “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” As you think towards heaven, can you imagine seeing God face to face, and feeling 100% completely LOVED and ACCEPTED by Him? I can guarantee you that no one else in your life fully knows you and yet fully accepts you the way God does. Even those closest to us don’t fully know us, often get irritated with us, and many times just put up with us as best as they can. In contrast, God fully knows us and never “puts up with us.” Instead, He cherishes, loves, and sings over us – our sense of humor, our personality, our quarks, all of it!

So while we are on this earth, let us appreciate those who do love and accept us, strive for deeper connection whenever we can, but ultimately realize and look forward to the day when we shall “know…(and be) fully known.” Amen!