“In Him all things hold together.”

_

‘Connect’ is a popular word these days. Its use reflects a variety of contexts but the goal is the same; to join together, to link, to bridge a gap, to cohere. The wide usage of the term is meant to speak into a world that is disconnected. People are looking for meaningful connections because life, at a very fundamental level, is about connections. We need to be connected. But where do I look? Where do I find them?  Marketing types have picked up on this. Thus, the appeal goes out; ‘Get Connected’ through our product, service, etc. 

“In Christ all things hold together”, Paul wrote to the Colossian church. Another translation for ‘hold together’ is ‘cohere’. I like that. When Christ Jesus takes hold of life He brings real connectedness, real cohesion.  The self comes to rest in its own skin. I see the whole creation as gift, with all the implications that awareness brings. Nor are the most tragic and apparently godless of circumstances outside the cohesive power of God’ s grace. Remember Paul’s words to the Romans? “All things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purposes.”  

Many of life’s connections are temporary, break under pressure or turn out to be forms of manipulation. Not so the connection with God in Christ.  In Him the broken fragments of our lives are brought together in the cohesion of love and mercy. To be held in this love is to be truly connected.

 _

 “May the peace of God that passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

_