“Not only do we suffer when we live in disconnectedness, but then other people whom God place around us get cheated out of the love God intended us to give them (emphasis author’s).”- John Ortberg
“Anyone who does not love remains in death.”- 1 John 3:14
John Ortberg concludes Chapter 16 of The Me I Want to Be as he stresses that God designed us to live in connectedness. Therefore, to help us avoid slipping into disconnectedness, John takes a look at five gifts connectedness brings.
1. The Gift of Delighting. Love involves action more than it involves feeing. Hence, servanthood marks the circle of connection. In Galatians 5:13, the apostle Paul urges us to “serve on another humbly in love.” Thus, we give life to the people we notice- and vice versa. Also, in that process of self-forgetfulness, our own soul flourishes.
2. The Gift of Commitment. Too often, Pastor Ortberg notes, the people most in need of cheers get them the least. Everyone needs the gift of commitment. Encouragement requires work. It doesn’t just happen. But, connectedness reaps incredible rewards!
3. The Gift of Love. As of today, name one person in your life who just needs you to look them in the eye and say: I love you. The Holy Spirit constantly works in us to prompt such expressions of love. Hence, every moment provides an opportunity to practice a gesture of love.
4. The Gift of Joy. Pastor Ortberg observes that, while we know love we joy, we often forget the power contained in joy. Joy:
- gives us strength to resist temptation
- brings the ability to persevere
- is the Velcro that makes relationships stick
- gives us energy to love
5. The Gift of Belonging. Simply stated, belonging – God’s gift to us.
Today’s question: During your desert, land between time, what sufferings resulted from living in disconnectedness? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Step into openness – stop pretending”
