In the midst of busy life the one thing that seems to come last is meaningful friendship. Discover the importance of making room for connection with other people and the effects of living without it.
I recently asked a room filled with hundreds of people, “How many feel busy?”
I knew what the answer would be to see almost everyone raise their hand was almost overwhelming.
PEOPLE ARE BUSY!
Remember when if you asked someone “How are you?” the standard answer was “Good.”?
What is the new default answer? “BUSY!”
Such busyness is often perceived as “the new normal” of the 21st century. https://www.barna.org/barna-update/culture/624-how-the-last-decade-changed-american-life#.VbKcbWDbKP8
It almost seems as if we carry busyness around like a badge of honor.
And if we say we’re not “busy” we feel ashamed or embarrassed.
Or, maybe for some, busyness looks more like this:
It’s interesting that there is another feeling that more and more people are identifying with: Loneliness.
I wonder how many people feel lonely?
…while loneliness among Americans has risen, the desire to find one’s place among a few good friends has likewise increased
https://www.barna.org/barna-update/culture/624-how-the-last-decade-changed-american-life#.VbKcbWDbKP8
I started to wonder, if more people are feeling busy and loneliness is rising, is there a connection between the two?
I went straight to the source for social interaction, FACEBOOK. I posted a question and asked for comments and feedback.
The answer to the question, “How Are You?” is no longer “good”, its “busy”. It’s also been reported that feelings of loneliness are rising. Is this a coincidence??
People definitely could relate and felt that the two were related.
We live in a society that is becoming more busy and lonely.
But it does not have to be that way!
Romans 12:1-2 (NIV) Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
This passage is instructing that our priorities need to change. What we place emphasis on needs to be redirected.
It’s amazing that we feel busy and lonely but what we really want purpose and friendship.
We are not the only ones who have allowed busyness to consume our lives.
Luke 10:38-41 (NIV) 38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Martha opened her home but was distracted.
Martha opened her home but didn’t honor His presence.
Jesus was essentially saying to Martha, your relationship with me is the most important. That is true for all of us!
However, it important to realize that in our pursuit of growing closer to God you never see anyone doing that out of the context of Christian friendship in Scripture.
The book of Acts describes the formation of the early church. It covers a span of around thirty years. Below are just a few examples of how the early believers pursued the things of God in the context of Christian community.
Acts 2:1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.
Acts 2:42 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Acts 3:1 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon.
Acts 5:42 42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.
Acts 12:12 12 When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying.
Acts 16:6 6 Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia.
Acts 20:7 7 On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight.
Acts 28:14 14 There we found some brothers and sisters who invited us to spend a week with them. And so we came to Rome.
WHY? Why was it like that?
Christian Friendship Inspires Christian Living
*1 Corinthians 15:33 *Hebrews 10:25
Connection Leaves Little Reason for Leaving
*Hebrews 10:25
Our lives are busy and lonely. We want purpose and friendship. We need to Grow with God and People.
Christian community and spiritual growth are two sides to one coin.
If you are intentional about being around Christian community, spiritual growth will inevitably take place.
Another way of putting it would be, if you are serious about growing spiritually you have to be involved in Christian community.
If it’s possible that busyness is connected to loneliness, what steps can be taken toward Christian friendship and purpose?
I want to offer a challenge:
*Make A List.
Who are the people in your life that you can you circle up with?
Some of you have people in your life right now you could circle up with.
Others of you… you are alone. I get it. I know what it’s like. I’ve been there too. You have to take a step. You need to move towards people, involvement, and participation.
Making room for connection will take some initiative and conversation but the results are worth it. You and I need Christian community in our life… Move Towards It. Make some room.
God bless you.
By: Evan Doyle Originally published by Catalyst Leader. Used by permission. Catalystleader.com
