Day Forty-One: Partying

Into Marvelous Light I'm Running

    We were made for social interaction on both a physical and spiritual level. Imagine being at a wedding celebration where Christ is mingling among the guests in the flesh. To be that close, to have a chance to go up and interact socially with your Lord and Saviour, even greet him with a hug, now that would be the ultimate social interaction. As many of my peers, I spent too much of my partying days covering up my emotions with alcohol that only numbed my sense of connectedness with others. What were we searching for? And what did we find? Our deepest longing for connectedness only resulted in numbing our ability to feel truly connected.
     I beleive God has put our desire to feel socially connected, loved and accepted, in our hearts to continue to draw us closer to him. When we come to realize that no one can completely know us or feel our inner emotions with us, it can make us feel let down and so alone in the world. If we choose to turn to back Him, we find the ultimate source of true love. One of the lonliest times in my life was after brother died. I tried to explain how I felt to my friends but all they could do was give me a hug and move on. My family all greived in their own private ways. As most people come to realize when they lose a loved one, no one, even those grieving, too, can understand your grief with you. It is the lonliest place on earth. But it is also a time when God draws closest to us and He himself has known grief and has walk in the flesh and knows our weaknesses.
     "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. (Hebrews 4:15)
     Sometimes it is hard to feel connected with God when our flesh is crying out for physical contact. I have found a special connection, a Christ centered party if you will, with God on my daily run. I find that near the end of my run when my physical body is at the point of exhaustion my spirit is alert and responding to the Holy Spirit of God in a most powerful way. I am not intoxicated in a way that numbs my senses but rather with the body's desires out of the way my spirit is heightened. I seldom do not experience some kind of spiritual interaction with the Lord in this sense. Sometimes it is so overwhelming I can't hold back the tears and God comforts my soul. Though I know my body will be pushed to its limits; I look forward to this social time with my Lord every day.
     Jesus was not antisocial, "Jesus' mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples were invited to the wedding as well. (John 2:2)" I believe that social character is still a part of our relationship with Christ today through our spiritual connection with the Holy Spirit. Don't forget to invite him to the party!

STUDY GUIDE

Follow along in JOHN: 90 Days with the Beloved Disciple by Beth Moore pages 195-198
Read John 2:1-5
 Answer the questions in your study guide.
 Share a brief highlight or two from your thoughts and answers in a comment posted to the group. (Read guidelines and cautions posted August 1, 2010 before you post).
 Read the comments of others and share your thoughts and encouragement with them by replying to their comments. Identify which post you are responding to by addressing them and their subject or pasting a brief portion of their reply at the start of your post.

PRAY WITH ME:
Lord, give us the joy of fellowship in your name, of genunine caring and unconditional loving relationships. Bring into our lives relationships that are meaningful, substantial, and blessed by your love and favor. Keep our spirits close to you and accept our invitation to socialize with us in your intimate and refreshing presence. In Jesus name, Amen.