Constantly Connected

My “office” has a sporadic internet connection.  Sometimes it works great and there are no problems at all.  Sometimes it doesn't work at all.  Other times I may be connected for about 20 minutes then booted off and can't reconnect.  On the bad connection days, I freely admit that I ask for Divine intervention at times.  “God, You know I could get sooo much more work done if the internet worked!”  In my currently technology-filled world, I don’t always realize how much work I do that takes the internet until I don’t have it!  I can’t send e-mails, I can’t do research for the sermon, I can’t update the church Facebook or web pages, I can’t listen to internet radio, I can’t even get to my trusty Bible web sites!

As I was sitting here frustrated by a lack of internet, I couldn’t help but think about how it parallels our relationship with Jesus Christ.  I know that when my relationship with Jesus Christ is going well, and information is flowing in both directions smoothly, it feels like we have a strong connection and I am able to get lots of work done!  Things I am working on just seem to come together better and easier.  My husband will sometimes tell me that I can’t bother him at that particular moment because he is in “the groove” on a project.  That is what this strong, good connection with Christ feels like, even though I don’t mind being interrupted!

But, there are days when that connection doesn’t seem to be working right.  It is slow, or maybe not working at all.  On those days that it can be very hard for me to get work done.  It feels like I have to wade my way through mud just to get to the first tool I need to get something done.  Things do not flow well at all.  Sometimes, I realize that it is a connection problem and I am intentional about trying to rebuild the connection through prayer and Scripture reading.  Other times I am stubborn and still think I can do everything I need to do without having the connection.  I have faith that someday I will learn this is not the case, hopefully.

How is your connection?  Do you have a strong connection with Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior today, or is it slow or maybe stuck?  If your connection is not what it should be take some time to be in prayer, and Scripture.  Take some time and spend it in God’s presence listening, talking to God about what is on your heart, and asking God if there is something you are doing that is slowing down the connection. “We must be living in tune with Him to discover what He wants us to do” (Will Mancini).  Rest assured that no matter what your current connection is, or how long it has been that way, God wants a strong, vibrant, and free-flowing connection with you.  Trust in Him and His timing, and remember “and we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” Romans 8:28.

God bless, Rev. Liz Arakelian, www.LivingHopeEC.org