God’s Design for Connection in a Disconnected World
Within the past decades, digital communication has skyrocketed. As online connection has increased, many people have found that physical connections are harder to make. Some people have best friends who they’ve never met in person. Some people want to make friends in person, but don’t know where to find them. Many people desire closeness, but find that poor mental health makes it difficult to trust, have energy, or even feel that they have something to offer in relationships.
Proverbs 17:17
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.
This issue is experienced differently along generational divides. Older adults may wonder what happened to the way of life they grew up with, and feel left behind by online culture. Parents struggle to understand the world of their children, while also finding themselves wrapped up more and more in their own phones. Teenagers feel judged for existing in a digital landscape they didn’t design. Elementary-aged kids feel they’re missing out without phones and social media. As Christians, we wonder what Christlike community looks like in an age of distance, where first-impressions often happen via social media.
God designed us for relationships with Himself and with each other
At Creation, God said, “Let us make man in our image” (Genesis 1:26, italics added). What we know to be true is this: before humans and angels were added to the picture, God already enjoyed perfect fellowship within Himself—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit! God’s love is not like human love that arises out of need or lack; rather, His love flows from the fullness and perfection of His own being. Out of the abundance of that eternal fellowship within the Trinity, God created humanity in His image. As we ponder God’s purpose for relationships, we recall that relationships themselves did not begin with us—it is rooted in the very nature of God.
Galatians 6:2
Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
There is no cut-and-dry answer to the problem of connection in our society. Connection requires energy (and supplies it as well!), and when resources are scarce, there is not much energy to spare. While we cannot guarantee access to fulfilling relationships at every stage of our life, we can pray over them. We can grasp opportunities for precious connections as they arise. The fewer the opportunities to connect, the more precious they are. Deep connections open us to joy, hurt, forgiveness, reconciliation, purpose; and sometimes departure and grief. Galatians 6:2 says, “Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ”.
If you are feeling disconnected, our counselors are here to help. Our licensed, clinical counselors are committed Christians with a biblical worldview and are happy to meet with you at our offices in Amherst, OH. Please feel free to contact us to schedule an appointment using the link below.
This content has been written by Rachel Barletta, CT and edited by Meghann Nickoloff. It is intended to provide general information. While the content has been written by a staff member, it may not always reflect the latest developments or expert opinions. The content should not be considered as professional or personalized advice. We encourage you to seek professional guidance, preferably from one of our licensed counselors to verify the information independently before making decisions based on this content. The Word of God is always true. While we strive for accuracy in our posts, we are not infallible.