“Being connected by love connects others to love!”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – March 22, 2023
I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. John 17:20-21
What does it mean to be connected by love? Connected by love for followers of Jesus means spiritual and emotional oneness. One with God, when our spirit bears witness with His Spirit that we are children of God. Spiritual connection brings calm in the middle of chaos and a deep sense of security from belonging to God and being beloved by the Lord. One with our spouses when our hearts are aligned with an emotional connection that brings relational peace and contentment with one another and energy to serve and care for one another’s needs. Without connection, our capacity to love is limited; with connection, we thrive. Like a Tesla that lacks the connection of a charging station, eventually, relational connection ceases without the charging station of love!
Jesus prays a famous and profound prayer of connection. He celebrates in prayer for those who have already believed and been connected to Him, and then He continues to anticipate with joy the new followers who would come through the word of believers. He goes on to highlight how His Kingdom’s growth will take place…by being connected to perfect love…God. By believers being one in love with the Trinity and one with one another…the world will believe Jesus was sent by God for all to believe and follow Him. Being connected by love connects others to love!
“Bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all” (Ephesians 4:2-6).
When I am not connected to my wife, Rita, I operate at 50% capacity in my emotional energy. Knowing things are not right between us preoccupies my mind with ways I need to make things right. And the enemy is skilled at causing a lot of sideways energy by feeding me lies that it’s all her fault and that she just needs to change. Fortunately, the loving Spirit of Christ nudges me by His love to take a deep spiritual and emotional breath and, at that moment, be loved by the Lord. Beautifully, His love flushes out my fears and fills my heart with humility and empathy to seek to understand her heart. Behind all relational disconnection is pain that requires love’s healing.
Most of all, as Jesus prayed, seek connection with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Oneness with the Trinity keeps us growing and thriving in a community of pure love. Being connected to Christ takes time and space to be with Him in communion with the Word. Since our Savior is the Word made flesh, we can experience His sweet loving presence in Scripture. As we read and reflect on His life, love, and words of wisdom, our hearts and minds are inspired and instructed with what we need for the day. And most of the time, love requires more time than we have allotted to bring relational and emotional connection. A screen-free, safe place sets us up for success to be connected in love. Connected in love, our capacity to love reaches the unreached. So, by God’s grace, we plug in by prayer to the eternal charging station of Christ and His love!
“And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me” (John 17:22-23).
Prayer
Heavenly Father, keep me connected by love to you and to those you love, in Christ’s love, and in Jesus’ name, amen.
Application
What relationship requires my humility and empathy to bring healing and reconnection in love?
Related Reading
John 10:16; Romans 12:5; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Galatians 3:28
Worship Resource
Hillsong Worship: Love On The Line
Donate
If you are blessed by these daily devotionals please prayerfully consider a donation to support Wisdom Hunters Resources. We are trusting the Lord for His provision.
Download our app!
