In•ter•sec•tion

In•ter•sec•tion –the place or point where two or more things come together, especially the place where two or more streets meet or cross each other.

 Roads intersect and people intersect. We are wired for connections. We are wired for people intersections because we are created in the image of God Genesis 1:27. God is a relational and He created us with a need to belong, to be known, to intersect with others.

 If connection is part of the soul’s architecture then why do we resist intimacy?

 Because we experience the consequences of the fall we have this default mechanism of hiding. Humans have gone from leaves to masks to sophisticated strategies to protect themselves from pain and from being known. Yet the reality of being created for intersections remains. God longs for us to experience His visible presence among us right in the midst of our stories.

 Jesus anticipated our need and prayed for us in the garden just before he began his journey to the Cross. John 17:21 “…that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you sent me”.

 He gives us resources to make this happen – the Word of God, the Spirit of God and the people of God. He gives us a protocol for community – the “one anothers”  in the New Testament – clear instructions on how to make community work.

 He places us geographically. Acts 17:24-27 “He determined the times set for them – the exact places where they should be.” There are no accidents in God’s economy. He places us at the exact location and period of history to give us the best possible advantage to come to know Him and to intersect with others whom we need.

 God did not intend for relationship with Him to be a solo venture. He did not intend that Christianity would be a privatized religion. He intended us for each other. We are wired and created for connection, for intersection.

 Some intersections are crowded and you want to avoid them. Some are easy to pass through and you choose those. Some have confusing messages and signs and are unclear as to which direction to take. Some are necessary for your destination with no option except driving straight through. Some are more prone to having accidents occur in them and some have blind spots like the exit from an alley onto a busy street. Some have horrific traffic jams delaying you beyond your time deadline. Some intersections invite you in almost as if it was a planned intersection.

 Oddly vulnerability and an admission of “I need you and here I am” has a magnetic impact and strong invitation. We all long to be invited into others’ lives but sometime we do not have a clue how to begin.

 Let me encourage you to take a risk as you consider opportunities at the intersections where you live and breathe and function. Take the first step toward another and invite them to connect – be it ever so simple as meeting for coffee at Starbucks or joining you for a walk in your shared neighborhood. There are many options and you are a creative person.

 Take advantage of your intersections  – anticipate what God wants to do. Expect Him to show up. Embrace the process and thank Him for each intersection and connection. It will be nourishing to your soul.