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Psalms 133:1 Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell (connect) in unity!
Several our grandsons are into Legos. They love building those Lego kits, be it a Star Wars X-wing or a Ninjago Jungle Chopper Bike, they love to connect the pieces. If the Lego kit is not over 100 pieces, they feel it’s too easy and want something more challenging. Oh, and of course they love to build creations on their own. We have a massive bin of Lego blocks, and they love to construct whatever their creative little minds desire. They will run in, “Papa, look at this cool car I made.” Sometimes they hand me what looks like a mass of blocks just snapped together. Looking at me expectantly for affirmation, “Don’t you think it is amazing Papa?” With a nod I say, “Absolutely. Then handing it back to them I ask, “Why don’t you tell me about it?” Because I have no idea what it is! They go off describing the creature or spaceship or ninja weapon they created. One time I walked up to one of our grandsons and he had Legos spread all over the kitchen counter and was leaning over with his head on one arm snapping and unsnapping a Lego block from another. I asked him why he was snapping and unsnapping the Lego. He turned to me and said with that expression like it was obvious, “It’s the sound Papa, that beautiful sound of Legos snapping together. I just love that sound.” To dig deeper I asked, “Why is that sound so beautiful to you?” He quickly responded, “Because it’s the sound that something amazing is going to be built.” Yep, I thought, there is a beauty in connection.
It is a beautiful thing when Legos connect to make something fun. It is also a beautiful thing when actions connect to complete a project, when ideas connect to create something innovative, when a power cord connects, when letters connect to express ideas, feeling, and love, when old friends connect, when new friends connect, when a couple formally connects in marriage. There is beauty in connection.
God has always encouraged connection with others.
1 Peter 4:8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.
John 13:34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
Proverbs 27:9 Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.
Galatians 6:2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Like Legos are created to connect with other Legos, we are designed by God to connect with fellow humans. That connection can be beautiful as we help, encourage, challenge, love, and make life better for others. It’s not so much what we gain from the connection, but we can give and bless another person. Sure, it takes effort and yes, it’s easy not to try, and some connections are not all that easy. Let’s connect and bring out some beauty. Who could you connect with today?
Church can be a wonderful place to connect with others. If you do not already have a church to attend, we would like to invite you to view or visit Neighborhood Church. We are a welcoming church and would love for you to connect with us! Our website has all the information you need for times and locations of all our Sunday gatherings. You can also find us online at neighborhoodchurch.com. As well, if you would like to view any of our past worship gatherings or videos, visit our YouTube channel, or just search Neighborhood Church Cypress or Neighborhood Church Los Alamitos on their YouTube site.
Seeking to discover the beauty of connection along with you,
Mike McKay
