English Article:Stay Connected | Pr. Stephen Varghese,Doha – Qatar
“Let’s, Stay Connected” or “let’s Keep in touch,” are words that we use very often. One probable reason could be the various possibilities available to stay connected. Gone are the days when people would say goodbye and desire to stay in touch but could not do so; and it could only be in thoughts or in the spirit as Paul says in Colossians 2: 5 “For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit…” Now we can be in touch with anyone, anytime or even talk face to face! Thanks to the advancement of social media (WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Google etc. on goes the list.)
The advancement in technology has made it possible to communicate in real time, but this has not brought more intimacy but rather has brought more aloofness to interpersonal relationships than ever before. The obsession with gadgets: – that helps us to keep in touch has brought forth many problems; physical and mental sickness are some of it. Some of the symptoms of this sickness of could be Depression, Dishonesty, Remorse, Anxiety, Inability to Prioritize, Isolation, Agitation, Mood Swings, Fear, and Loneliness. If the trend continues, it won’t be too late for the formation of a new specialized department in the hospitals for the “internet sick.”
In the course of wanting to keep connected with others, have we, as believers, forgotten to stay connected with God? Has the time for Bible reading, prayer, meditation and even attending services and evangelization been grabbed by these gadgets? Have audio Bibles, daily devotions and prayers on social group, Live Streaming Church Services taken the space we need to have with God? Jesus said in John 15:1, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.” v.4 “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” v.7-8 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
With such wonderful words, Jesus reminds us to stay connected with God who is in heaven and us who are on earth. I believe this connectivity is like the longest great distance call with absolute clarity and with no failures ever. Four things to remember from above verses:-
1) Stay connected with Jesus who is the True Vine. And He will stay connected to you.
2) Stay Connected to Him to bear fruits and that your fruits will remain.
3) Stay Connected with His Word and then will you be blessed.
4) Stay Connected with Him and only then will you be called His disciple.
Let me close my words by telling you a secret; only a person who is truly connected to God in prayer and meditation of Word can truly stay connected with other believers too; everything else falls apart. So Let’s Stay Connected to Him first, before we connect with others.
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