As you start this week... think about: Connections matter more than you may realize from day to day. Being in the right place, with the right people, at the right time--in that moment, in that season... sometimes just for that season. Being in alignment when it truly matters. Who are you connected to? Intertwined with? Hanging out with? Dining with? Sharing life with? Sharing your dreams and vision with? Who have you let into your space and life--consciously and unconsciously? Take time to reflect on the connections that have made an impact in your life to date... and how different your life would be if those connections were absent. If you were not aligned in that moment, for that season... would you have overcome what you were facing?
In the Word of God, 2 Kings 4:1-7, a widow cried out to Elisha because her two sons were going to be taken away for the debt she owed. Elisha asked the woman what she had in her house--and she only had a pot of oil--then he gave her instructions to collect as many empty jars from her neighbors as possible. Once she collected the jars, they were filled with oil and she was able to pay off her debt and live off the rest. There are several connections that helped her get to that place of financial freedom. She knew Elisha so we went to him. Who do you know? Who do you need to get to know? Who are you going to with your issue(s)? She listened and obeyed Elisha's instructions (followed through with the advice she was given). She acted as instructed.
You have been given so much counsel/advice about how to "get out" or resolve your situation. Have you listened and acted... followed through with the necessary steps/action? In the widow's case, she knew her neighbors--so she could get the empty jars/vessels--who are your neighbors that you can reach out to? You are not an island--so don't act like one. Who can you reach out to who has some of the things that you need to get you where you need to go? There's a time for everything--you know this. Connections give you access. Review your connections.
Remember, you are also a connection to someone that will need you to be available to do your part to help them get where they need to be. The widow's two sons were connected to her and if she hadn't used her connections or accessed her connections--they would have been bond servants! Imagine that!!! You are aligned with certain people and things to fulfill your (and their) purpose as God has ordained it. Don't deny the power within you and the power of connections.
During our church conference a few weeks ago, Prophet Joshua Giles talked about being in alignment with God. He referenced 2 Kings 4:8-37, particularly how Elisha laid (positioned) over the Shunammite woman's dead son then he came to life. In verse 34, Elisha aligned himself to the son: mouth to mouth, eyes to eyes, hands upon hands as he stretched over his body. How are you aligning yourself with God and with the connections placed in your life?
I remember when I was growing up it seemed like having the right connections was some type of nepotism, when I started working as an adult, I understood it to be "networking" with the right connections. As you look back over your life, write down some of the things you have achieved because of some connections you had or made. Everyone has a connection. It's how we manage those relationships that makes a difference and determines some of the outcomes of our decisions and actions.
Remember, not every connection is for you! Some connections are just there for you to learn from and nothing more. Don't expect to get something from a connection that they are no assigned to do for you. Let God lead you and open your eyes to know when, what, who, and how. The real, purposeful connections won't give you a headache! Or have a negative impact on you. You won't even have to beg your connections for anything because they are aligned to you for a purpose which they will gladly fulfill! Make the most of your connections! And be a great connection for others!
