Today I visited Taronga zoo with our youngest son Isaac. He is like a walking encyclopedia when it comes to interesting facts about animals, insects, and anything in the zoo, and it's a lot of fun to visit these places with him.
While viewing the chimpanzee enclosure, we couldn't help laughing at the chimps' connection to one another and how the young chimpanzees hold on so tightly to their parent. If they moved, the younger chimps moved to, keeping its arm or hand resting on the other's shoulder so they remained connected at all times. If, for some reason, they disconnected for a moment, it wasn't long before one of them would hurry back to grab hold of the other again.
It's kind of like how Jesus wants us to be with Him and He with us. That if He moves to the left, we move to the left, and if he moves to the right, we move to the right with Him. It's the sort of connection that John talks about in the bible when he describes God being like the vine and us as the branches and that we are to be united and vitally connected to Him. (John 15)
Yet so often, there is such a focus put on us being independent and being able to go it alone. But when you look at creation, you see God’s different plan of interdependence, unity, and working together and co-existing. His best for us is that we are not alone, and He promises in His Word to place the lonely in families and to bond us together in care and love for one another. (Psalm 66:6)
I’ve discovered that if I am open and honest with Jesus and keep holding onto Him, I am far more likely to have deeper connections with the people around me. My stability, security, and confidence are foremost founded in my relationship with Him, which then flows out to every other bond I have.
Today I encourage you to be honest with yourself and Jesus. Determine to keep holding on to Him and spend time building that relationship, which will enhance and deepen every other meaningful connection in your life.
“For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.”(Isaiah 41:13)
“Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” (Philippians 2:3)
Prayer: Lord, I’m choosing to keep holding onto you, and that as you move in a direction, I would be right there with you too. Please also help me learn how to be more connected with others around me so that I don’t have to go it alone all the time. In Jesus name Amen.
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