Craving Connections

Two years ago, the Pine Valley United Methodist Church manger scene fell down in a windstorm.  After many years of use, Pat, our facilities project manager, made a new one.  The new one also doubles as a donkey hut and photo op at Easter.  Of course, Pat built a model first. The manger was built in several sections to make it easier to store and carry.  So I was not surprised when I saw him working on the Connect Center.  It, too, is a mobile unit made with cedar fence boards, made into three pieces so that it can be moved and carried easily.  

What is the Connect Center?  It made its debut Easter Sunday in the Christian Life Center lobby.  The connect center helps get people connected to serve God and help grow His Kingdom.  There are two sections on this mobile center.  Grow and Serve.  The “Grow” section has information on how you can grow through PVUMC.  It includes small groups, Bible studies, Sunday school, children and youth information.  The “Serve” section includes every mission and outreach through PVUMC. 

While it is all about God, there are byproducts of being connected that are great blessings to us.  Here is the acronym for CONNECT.  

Creating lifelong relationships.

Opportunities for fellowship.

Nourishing souls.

Navigating faith journeys together.

Encouraging others.

Choosing God above all else.

Transformation through service.

I think about how important “likes” are on social media to people.  You know why?  Their heart longs for connections with friends.  No matter how many thumbs up or hearts you get, it will never be enough to satisfy your craving.  During life’s busyness or COVID, many friendships have become online, facetime, and phone calls but not in person.  God designed us for friendships in person.  We need to have friends that we can do life with.  I am not referring to COVID times. 

Jesus also had face-to-face connections too. He surrounded Himself with close friends like John, Peter, James and the other disciples.  He was friends with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. He enjoyed talking and sharing meals with people.  Through His example, we see how these relationships help satisfy our craving for connections.   

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.  But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.  Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.  But how can one keep warm alone?  Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.  A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."  God can do so much more when we are in community than when we try to do things alone.  Our future, in community, can look totally different than if we stay alone. 

What better place than church to make these connections?  We need to be encouraged by others, and we need to encourage others.  God needs us all!  Hebrews 10:24-25, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”  Let’s connect hearts to Christ and one another!