Who am I connected with?
It’s showing my age a bit but I grew up when many folk songs and common sayings talked about ‘the family of man’. Ignoring the gender specificity for a moment, this phrase was about the human race, about us all being like a family together in one world.
As time went on, and I started to go to church, I soon learned about ‘the Body of Christ’ and how the church
was about us all being like a family together. I later worked for a mission and aid agency and realised afresh that the Church is a worldwide entity where we’re like a family together in one world.
Do you find it easier to feel connected within one or more of these ‘families’ than others?
A recent BBC survey suggested that, when compared with a decade ago, people now feel more connected locally and globally but less connected nationally?
Which ‘membership connection’ is more real and important to you?
Body of Christ local?
Body of Christ national?
Body of Christ global?
The community where we live?
The place you work, volunteer or spend your time in?
Our nation?
The human race?
In all of these families, as in our own birth families, there are people with whom we can’t get on, as well as those with whom we actively disagree? How do we cope with that? Sever the connection, or stay together whilst acknowledging the differences and even seeking to grow closer?
