I am sure you have stories of how God has put in your path the right person at the right time; how He has connected you with a long-lost friend; or how He has weaved you in and out of someone’s life. There are many stories of being connected in relationships.
I have two very good friends, and the stories of how our lives intersected multiple times along the way are amazing. I met one of my friends at the Michigan Pastors’ Wives and Widows Retreat (remember when The Katie was called that?). My husband was on vicarage and hers was just getting ready to start at seminary the coming year. I met the other friend while our husbands studied Greek together at the seminary, and we went through most of those school years together. As our geographical locations changed, with the moves back and forth from seminary and then calls, the three of us remained connected in different ways. Our lives were intertwined, and we were not going to be separated easily.
God is a God of relationships. He connected Himself to us at creation when He made us in His image. He connected Himself to us in His death and resurrection in our Baptism. He gives us life every day and connects Himself to us. In Jesus, God became intertwined with humanity by taking on flesh, to touch and mold our lives and restore our relationships.
We are connected to Him because we are His creations. We are connected to each other because He brings people in and out of our lives to support, encourage, and strengthen us. Sometimes our lives are weaved together as we share the ins and outs of everyday life. Sometimes those connections seem weaker as we get busy and don’t talk much. This is true for our God as well. When we share the ins and outs of life with Jesus and talk with Him, it is easier to see Him working in our lives. As we live life abiding and remaining in Him, the connection feels strong.
But that’s the thing. The connection is always there. It is always strong because God never leaves. He has entangled Himself tightly with us. Jesus says that, as we abide in Him, we will bear fruit (John 15:5). As we rest in Him and His promises, He gives life to the branches.
Jesus has made the connection with you. You are His and, as you abide and rest in His abundance, it will be easy to see and feel that connection. Be connected to Him and to those people He wants to intertwine with you.
Whether it is at the seminary, at the congregation you serve, at school, or at work, God has placed people in your life. He has connected, intertwined, and tangled you together with and for people. As I look back I see that, as my life was tangled with others, that is where I have seen Jesus present with and for me.
(Come join us at The Katie to be intertwined with other women. Come ready to see how God is present and working in and through your life. We look forward to being tangled up in this journey together.)
Photo courtesy of Miriam Rossow
