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The Value of Deep Relationships

                 In a recent TED talk, New York Times best-selling author Johann Hari makes the case that, “The opposite of addiction is not sobriety.  The opposite of addiction is connection”. 
                While not denying the chemical and physical causes of addition, he states that, “Human beings have a natural and innate need to bond.  And when we are happy and healthy, we’ll bond and connect with each other.  But if you can’t do that – because you’re traumatized or isolated or beaten down by life – you will bond with something that will give you some sense of relief.  Now that might be gambling, that might be pornography, that might be cocaine, that might be cannabis, but you will bond and connect with something because that is our nature, that’s what we want as human beings”.
                If that is true, then the church should be a powerful place for change and hope, because connection is at the heart of what we do.  We are to love and encourage one another (Romans 13:8; 2 Corinthians 13:11).  Kindness and compassion should be words that describe our fellowship (Ephesians 4:32).  Most importantly, we should be able to, “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed” (James 5:16).  
                However, in my experience, that does not always happen.  When was the last time you had anyone confess anything to you?  When was the last time you asked anyone to pray for you in a very specific way?   
                Often our relationships are too shallow, so we rarely get past taking about the weather or replying, “I am fine” when asked, “How are you?”   We like those we worship with, but we do not trust them enough to be honest.  They are close, but not close enough.
                What if we worked at changing that? 
                You could be a force for good in someone’s life.  You could encourage and build others up emotionally and spiritually (1 Thessalonians 5:11).  You could create relationships where it was safe to share your struggles knowing that others would love and pray for you.  To a lost and lonely world, a group of people who really love God and really care about one another might just be the most attractive thing they have ever seen.      
                However, that would take a new level of openness, effort and trust.
                Surface level connection will not do.

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