Higher Connection

Psalm 139:1-11, 22-23

Psalm 139 is a lovely Psalm. Dig into it and read the whole of it. All of its parts speak to the knowledge of God about us. About a connection so deep we can't hide from it.

Right now people are suffering from a loss of connection. As humans we are hardwired for connection. We like to deny this. Especially in the North East where a rugged independence and self reliance is always thought of as the way we work, live, and breath. 

There is no getting around the inner need for connection. If we don't have it with people we make it with other living things. Creation, if we live in the woods. Knowing the animals, feeling a connection to the wild things that are around us, making a whole story of being connected to a bear or bull or even the birds these things are deep because they carry a life force of well being to us.

The other day I saw once again the story of how a newborn thrives. It needs touch, connection with it's mother and those who care for it. If it doesn't get this there is a great deficit which is too hard to fill later on. The ability to have empathy and care for others doesn't fully develop.

Psalm 139 connects us to the depths of a connection we can't even imagine. It is deeper than the relationships we have with others because there is no place we can hide from it. God is not separate from us but is always there around us, within us, and a constant we cannot get rid of. There is a deep comfort in knowing this intrinsically in our soul. This comfort can guide us, if we acknowledge its deep connection to us.

Listen to these wonder filled words of connection: "Lord, you have searched me out and known me;". Don't we all want to be searched for and found? In the times when we feel most lost in our lives knowing someone is searching for us is a key comfort. We are not as isolated as we feel. We are not alone.

Next, "You press upon me behind and before and lay your hand upon me." No matter where we go or what we are experiencing. God's hand is on us. For healing, for strength, for comfort, for joy God is always present and laying hands on us. The most deeply moving prayers we have done was at my church in Poplar Bluff, Holy Cross. When someone was deeply struggling, or a stranger came and shared their troubles with us we would gather around and lay hands on in prayer. It is powerful and comforting to join in and show all of this love God has and put it on one person. It is the outward sign of the inward connection we always have.

At the times when we feel as though we have failed this verse is key, "Where can I go then from your Spirit? where can I flee from your presence?". The truth is we can't. There is no place, even when we think we have done our worst, that we are not without God to comfort and guide us forward. This is the strength we need when we think the worst. Because we are not worthless for we were knit by the hands of God as the Psalm says in another section. 

So take heart. Listen deeply to these wonderful words. Take time and read all of Psalm 139. Make a practice of concentrating on just a few lines a day. Then see what connections you make with all around you because this was written for not just us, but all.