“See, feel and know all that God has in store for you.”
Laura Lane from ‘I Touch the Heavens’
This week I was reading Brene Brown’s book Atlas of the Heart. I found a golden nugget in the final few pages of her book. She spent 5 pages describing what it means to cultivate meaningful connections. She said, “Connection is the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued: when they can give and receive without judgement; and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship.”
She goes on to explain what connection does not look like. It doesn’t involve having to prove yourself. It doesn’t involve protecting fragile self- worth. It doesn’t involve controlling the path or walking away. It doesn’t involve performing or performance connection.
As I thought about her definition and explanation, I wondered how that could be applied to our relationship with God.
How do we currently relate to God and how can we cultivate a more meaningful connection with God?
So first let’s look at what connection doesn’t look like. Am I trying to prove myself to God or do I struggle to know that He values me for who I am? Is it hard for me to imagine that He actually does love His beautiful creations, that He actually loves me?
How do I see God? Do I see Him as authoritative dictator who insists His minions do as He demands because He is trying to protect His authority and worth as our God? If I do, can I recognize that that view could be greatly hindering my connection with Him?
Is my relationship with God based on fear? Did you know that when you read the references in the Bible about fearing God (for example Deuteronomy 6:3 and 10:20), when you look at the original Hebrew word ‘Yirah’ meaning awe, reverence, respect, that it means to revere. Rabbi Lew describes it as “the fear that overcomes us when we suddenly find ourselves in possession of considerably more energy than we are used to, inhabiting a larger space than we are used to inhabiting. It is also the feeling we feel when we are on sacred ground.” (link)
Am I in a power struggle with God? Do I feel like He’s controlling my life or do I only want a relationship with Him if it is only on my terms? Do I lack a connection with God because I have simply walked away?
My communication with God, my prayers, are they a performance? Is it all flowery words and no substance or am I truly pouring out my heart to God? When I ask for His help for myself or others, am I willing to walk alongside Him to help make the situation better or do I want Him to feed the hungry so I don’t have see the poor and destitute as I walk down the street?
If we truly want to cultivate a divine connection, we need to take a closer look at the relationship we have with Him.
Do we see God for who He is? Is He Father, Friend, Mentor, Guide in our lives?
Do we hear Him? Do we listen to His guidance? Do we live by His words?
Do we place value on Him and His word and His promises to us?
Do we recognize or do we know that God sees us, He hears our prayers, He values us and all we do in the world, for others, for our contribution?
What do you need to feel a loving connection to God?
Do you see, feel, and know all God has in store for you?
Once you can see what He has in store for you, are you receiving and accepting those blessings and love?
And in return are you filled with love and gratitude?
Do you express that love and gratitude to Him and share it with those around you?
Finally, do you allow your relationship with God to strengthen you, to sustain you?
What is the energy of the connection you have with the Divine?
“Love and connectedness should be the focus of my meditation to start each day. Then I can go out into the world ready to be a conduit, receiving and giving love, abundance and guidance.”
Laura Lane from ‘I Touch the Heavens’