The Human Hole

What a Sunday! I felt like we were able to make some great connections with others yesterday as we sat around the tables in the Sanctuary this past Sunday. What a great meal and a great response to the new and ongoing small groups that are happening at New Life.

As I reflect on why it excites me so much, I realize that it's because of my own need to see my craving for deep personal connection met. Don't get me wrong. I had connection at my church in Las Vegas, and growing up in my church in Seattle, but I have never felt as deep a connection with people as I do with the people that are a part of my Small Group.

If we were honest, we'd recognize that we all have that craving. We all need to have those two holes filled. First, the God Hole which we all tend to work on in some fashion through worship or study. But we don't necessaryily put effort into filling the Human Hole in all of us. Jesus knew we needed both filled. That's why he gave us to equally important calls of Loving God (with all we have) and Loving People (no matter what) in the 22nd chapter of the first book in the New Testament, Matthew.

We need to understand this importance! "Church" is more than attending. It's about connecting and connecting in that deep way that all human's crave. If you are not apart of a small group, let me encourage you to jump right in, share your story, listen to other's stories and that hole in your heart for human connection, in a deep way, will begin to be filled!

As that hole gets filled, you will notice others that have that same craving. When you see them just do three simple things - INVEST into their lives (no agendas please - other than love) - sharing your story and hearing theirs. When the time seems right, INVITE them to your small group where they can connect with other people, and finally, always INCLUDE them into this greater story that we all are privledged to live in!

As we do this, we will see the vision Jesus gave us of Loving God and Loving People become a daily reality where ever we are!!