“No man is an island entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main…” (John Donne, Meditations XVII)
Objective: Making human connection should be a priority for all believers.
Opener: In a world where your self-worth is measured by possessions and titles, Jesus was known by the lives he connected with daily. From the beginning of man, human connection has been seen as a ministering help for one another.
Key Scripture: Genesis 2:18 (KJV) 18 And the Lord God said, it is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a help meet for him.
The importance of human connection can be seen in every aspect of human development. It affects our psychological, spiritual and physical development. The fact is human connection is a necessity for man’s very existence. We are aware of the basics of eating right, working out and getting proper rest. But how many are aware of the basics of human connection? The importance of human connection has been seen throughout the history of man gathering in social groups for hunting, living and other human interaction.
Research shows that human connection is a protective factor against suicide, obesity and other health conditions. (Social Relationships and Health). There has been a steady decline in social connectedness which is directly related in part to the social media explosion within the last decade. This decline in real human connection contributes to an increase in loneliness, isolation, and alienation. One study indicated that 1 in 4 people have no one to call a close friend. That is someone you can be honest and transparent with, without judgement. The science supports that human connection improves longevity by 50%. As a fact, people who are more connected to others have a lower rate of anxiety and depression. (The Need to Belong). Human connection stimulates a healthy conscious and mind that promotes psychological well-being of individuals.
Human connection promotes spiritual health. In the Bible, we are commanded to love one another, and Jesus tells us it’s the greatest commandment. This type of human connection transcends our own humanity and aligns us with God’s greatest concern: our fellow man. The impulse to connect with others is innate and woven into the very fiber of our being. Spirituality is enhanced through the human connection of others. Jesus says that where two or three are gathered in his name He is there. Matthew 18:19 (NKJV) 19 “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. The reality of human connection and its spiritual implications can be seen throughout the bible. Human connection strengthens spiritual health.
Most people believe that happiness is defined by the possessions of things. As a Christian, happiness is defined by the revelation of Jesus and the meaning of our life which is connection to him. Man’s desire and pursuit of happiness is only found in human connection with others.
Physical connection through touch plays a vital role in human development. It shapes our attachment to another, shapes cognitive functions, communication, and emotional regulation throughout an individual’s life span. Early childhood research support that without the physical contributions of human connection an individual can experience developmental delays that are often seen in children who, with inadequate or inappropriate sensory stimulation, exhibit impaired growth and cognitive development, as well as an elevated incidence of attachment disorders and other medical conditions.
Human connection is major factor for developing our spiritual discipline, physical development and psychological health. If humans were meant to walk life’s journey alone, there would have been no need for Eve after the creation of Adam. Most psychologists support the hypothesis that human connection is one of the single most important aspects of existence. Human connection affects us in such a complex way that research continues to explore its profound impact on us.
You have heard it said that eating healthy, sleeping routinely, and working out are the tenets of a healthy life. You can say more appropriately that eating healthy, routine sleep, regular exercise, and deep human connection are the tenets of a healthy, well-balanced life.
Originally published in Pentecostal Life