The Power of Connection

 

By Andrea Merrell

I have come that they may have life

and that they might have it more abundantly.

John 10:10 NKJV

 

“Who are you connected to?” the speaker asked. “What are you receiving from your current relationships?”

After giving his audience a few moments to ponder his questions and jot down some notes, he went on to explain the difference between life-draining and life-giving relationships.

His wise words made me think back to friendships I had experienced over the years. Some were difficult, even toxic—as I came to realize after the fact. I always walked away feeling exhausted and discouraged yet not knowing what to do. A couple of those relationships practically drained the life out of me.

Then I thought about the true friends who had poured life into me. People who truly cared. People who loved me and nourished my soul.

Jesus said, “I have come that they (you) may have life and that they (you) might have it more abundantly.” How do we experience that abundant life He speaks of? By being securely connected to Him, the Vine (John 15). That is our ultimate connection. Our relationship with Him determines the quality of our relationship with others.

One writer says that’s how our souls are nourished: through the love of God and other people. People He places in our path. I call those God-connections.

God created us for fellowship. For communion with Him and others. That’s what causes us to flourish. So my question for you is, “Are you firmly plugged in to the very source of life ... the source of everything that is good and true and lasting?” If not, today’s the day. It will be the best decision you ever make.

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Make Room for Love

 

By Andrea Merrell

But love will last forever!

1 Corinthians 13:8b NLT

The couple had longed for a child. They prayed and waited for what seemed an eternity. Finally, the long-awaited day arrived. They joyfully brought their newly adopted son into their home, but all was not as they expected.

The boy was shy. Hesitant. Afraid. Having been in a number of foster homes and part of the system for all of his eight years, he had become accustomed to strict rules and boundaries. He had not been allowed freedom or the privilege of making his own choices. He was also treated harshly by many of the people who were supposed to take care of and protect him. To him, this transition would be no different than the others.

But this couple gave the boy something he had never experienced: love. They did everything they could to make him feel safe. Trusted. At home. They gave him freedom he had never experienced and told him he had the “run of the house”—his new forever home.

Too many people feel like that little boy—unloved and unwanted. But the Bible tells us:

God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us, so that we’re free of worry on Judgment Day—our standing in the world is identical with Christ’s. There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear.  (1 John 4:17-18 MSG)

This couple made room for love—unconditional, undeserved, and unearned—just like God’s love for us. The young boy thrived in his new environment

Love never fails. Have you made room for love?

Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net and Stuart Miles.

Stay on the Right Path

 

By Andrea Merrell

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, 

and lean not on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him, 

and He shall direct your paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV

 

My friends love to hike in the mountains, but their last adventure almost turned into a disaster.

To get from point A to point B was supposed to be a fairly easy trek, taking only a few short hours. They would certainly be back to their car well before dark.

Unfortunately, they got off the designated trail and got lost. Darkness began to settle in—along with panic. But then they prayed, and God sent someone familiar with the area to rescue them. They were saved from a cold, uncomfortable night in the woods but ended up almost five miles away from their car.

Just as staying on the designated path is important in a hike, so it is in our walk with the Lord. In Jesus Calling, Sarah Young writes:

When your faith falters, you choose a trail that meanders and takes you well out of your way. You will get to point B eventually, but you will have lost precious time and energy. You need to voice your trust in Me frequently. This simple act of faith will keep you walking along straight paths with Me. ~Jesus

Don’t depend on your own understanding. Trust the Lord. Call on Him. Acknowledge Him in every area of your life, and He will direct your paths. That’s a promise you can count on.

Photo courtesy of Unsplash.com and Dave Hoefler.

The Ultimate Insurance Policy

 

By Andrea Merrell

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me 

all the days of my life;
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Psalm 23:6 NKJV

Insurance policies can be tricky. Most companies are legit but not all. Sometimes things change that no one can control, but the policy holder is always the one who suffers.

Upon early retirement, my husband’s employer guaranteed our coverage (both life and health) would continue as long as he lived. Not so. Soon after retirement, our medical premiums began to go up each year. They finally went up so high we couldn’t afford them at all. Sometime later, we got a letter stating we no longer had life insurance. At our age, we could only afford a very modest policy.

With our home and auto insurance, every time we made a claim, either our premium went up or they threatened to cancel.

It seems insurance is a necessary evil that is supposed to cover you through accidents, sickness, natural disasters, and even death. But as one writer puts it, the only policy that you can depend on—the one that extends even beyond death—is the one God offers, paid in full by the blood of Jesus. It can’t be canceled, and there is never any fine print.

If you’re a child of God, your future is secure. You are covered for all eternity.

That’s the ultimate insurance policy.

Photo by Vlad Deep on Unsplash

 

White Noise

 

By Andrea Merrell

Be still and know (recognize, understand) that I am God.

Psalm 46:10 AMP

 

I sat there going back and forth between my Bible and my devotionals, struggling to concentrate as I tried to block out the noise—dogs barking, doors slamming, children yelling.

Some people love background noise. It doesn’t bother them at all. In fact they thrive better will all sorts of white noise. It might be a TV with the volume turned low or a noisy fan. Many love using a sound machine.

I’ve noticed that the older I get, the more I enjoy—and have to have—peace and quiet. A lot of noise and chaos rattles me way more than it ever did before. After a while, my attention gets diverted and I find it difficult to complete my tasks. That’s especially true in my quiet time with the Lord.

God admonishes us to “be still.” Why? So we can know Him. So we can recognize and understand that He is God. That requires focus and concentration. It’s a matter of blocking out all the white noise in our mind caused by worry, anxious thoughts, and excessive planning—not to mention the cacophony of the world around us.

We’re also told to be transformed by renewing our minds (Romans 12:2). This happens as we spend time in prayer and in the Word.

Are you tired of the white noise? Find a quiet place, be still, and get to know your God ... really know Him.

 Photo by Sasun Bughdaryan on Unsplash