IQ #249 “Disconnected to Stay Connected”

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior, may your hearts forever be entwined in His merciful grace and everlasting love.

There were several guys I had become friends with in our music department and enjoyed playing concerts, gigs and attending parties together. One day I had found out that these guys had gone on a weekend camping trip and talked about how great it was. I smiled and listened to the funny stories, but inside I was torn. Why did these friends not invite me? Was I that much of a geek?

After a few more of these campouts had taken place and still not being asked to join in on the fun I finally said to one of them how I have always liked camping out and it would be nice to join them some time. It was then that I got the answer as to why I was ‘left out’. I was told that, ‘All we really do on these campouts is drink and get totally wasted. We knew you didn’t drink and we thought it would not be very fun for you’… I wasn’t expecting that answer, but they were right. I wouldn’t have enjoyed it. It was out of their respect for which I was as a person and as a friend, and I respected that.  After 35 years we remain friends and that is more important than missing (thankfully) a few trashed weekends.

We remained connected by being disconnected at times out of respect.

Proverbs 4:14

Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers.

Friendship is important and developing friendships in areas we spend a lot of time in; school, clubs, athletic teams, bands, jobs… is only natural, and we feel great when we are accepted and valued when those friendships are made.

As a follower of Jesus Christ you are called to a higher order of responsibility as a friend with those around you. That responsibility is the obeying of God’s Word and the teachings of Jesus Christ. There will be times when you are torn on what to do or say when you may risk the continued acceptance of classmates or teammates if you don’t go along with what they want to do. If your friend’s desires are not in alignment with God’s word, then you need to walk away from it. By walking away those friends will know where you stand even without words from you. They may tease you or say cruel things to you or try to entice you, but you must persevere and not give in. If you stay true to your commitment to God, others will see that and respect will be given. Your walk with Jesus is the friendship others need to see in you, and that may open a door for you to share the gospel with a classmate or any other friend who is questioning their own way of life or maybe just wondering why you chose Jesus as your most trusted friend.

2 Timothy 3:12-14

In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, ¹³ while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. ¹⁴ But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it,

Last Sunday I was talking with some students after the church service and one of the students said, “Lately I have felt disconnected at my school.”

My response was, “That’s Awesome!” That may have sounded like a cruel remark, but in no way was my remark meant to be disrespectful to the student (I did let the student know that), I understand how being disconnected feels. My remark was in response to knowing where this student’s relationship is with Jesus Christ.

The stronger your relationship with God is in obeying His Word, and committed to the teachings of Jesus Christ, the more probable a feeling of disconnection with your surrounding environment and those people may become, if God is not present within those you are with. It may be emotionally hurting and you may feel all alone at times, but you are not alone. The Holy Spirit is with you and has guided you in the correct direction. You also have many Christ following friends to turn to for support and reassurance.

In keeping a growing relationship with Jesus Christ alive and real there will be times in your social life where you are called to be disconnected to stay connected.

With the love of Jesus Christ,     

Papa John  10:30:15