Are you connected?

• net·work n.
  
  A structure in which cords, threads, or wires cross at regular intervals.
  
  Something resembling an openwork fabric or structure in form or concept.
  
  v. intr. To interact or engage in informal communication with others for mutual assistance or support.

Invitations cross my desk for 'networking' events, sponsored by the local Chamber of Commerce. The computers in our church are networked. I belong to several different networks - the Assemblies of God being the largest of those. I watch TV news on the Fox News Network. Last night several men and women, Deacons of our congregation, networked to advance the Kingdom's agenda. The Internet allows networking to occur in amazing ways with information being shared on the World Wide Web!

When we learn to form and maintain strong connections with others, we not only enjoy the friendship of many people; we become many times more effective in our work than we could possibly be alone. We do not always believe that! Sometimes getting connected and staying connected requires so much work that we are tempted to cut the ties. In a recent discussion about getting a task accomplished, I volunteered to 'just do it.' That is consistent with my personality which enjoys the results much more than the process! A friend reminded me that it was important to give others the opportunity to 'buy in' and become a part of the effort, even though that would slow down the process. And he is right! I might be able to get the job done efficiently alone, but no one would have an investment in it and the outcome would just belong to Jerry. But, when people are encouraged to tie in to the network,to take a meaningful place in the process, the end result will be enjoy wider support and decisions will find broader acceptance. That is true no matter what social structure we are thinking of - family, neighborhood, church, corporation, or government.

Solomon observes that "A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken." (Ecclesiastes 4:12, NLT)

So, if the advantages of being networked are so obvious, why don't more of us get connected in more of them? By definition, networks limit our autonomy! When we become part of a network, we give up some of our rights to just be ourselves. We have to start to think 'we' as a higher value than 'me.' The old sinful human nature resists that concept because of a sin as old as Eden - selfishness. The devil's lie is - "Express yourself. Do your own thing. It's the only way to be happy." God's truth is - "Give yourself away. Serve and love, and you will discover joy!"

Here's a word from the Word to keep in your mind today. "Make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one heart and purpose." (Philippians 2:2, NLT) "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,... taking the nature of a servant." (Philippians 2:3-7, NIV)_____________________________

You're invited to the Assembly for worship on Sundays at 10:15 AM.
On Sunday, I'll be starting a series of messages about 'networking,' discovering truths about the way that God wants His church connected and functioning around the gifts of the Spirit that He invests in each of us. See you then!