If today is an average day in the United States, 6 billion texts will be sent among us. And though texting has become a popular form of conversation, it still pales in comparison to email, of which 269 billion are sent daily—that’s 74 trillion a year—though a significant percentage of those are spam that you never see. And the antiquated phone call? Just 2.4 billion per day among America’s 300 million cell phone users. No matter what the medium, there is a staggering amount of communication going on, all the time.
Communication is not connection. When we are communicating, we are aware of each other and engaging on a surface level. Electronics facilitate nearly constant communication throughout our culture. Genuine connection, though, is deeper—when we exchange thoughts, ideas, emotions with one another. We have become so used to constant communication that we have forgotten how to connect. Have you ever spent the entire day communicating in one way or another—emails, calls, texts, meetings–yet emotionally you haven’t really connected to anyone? A recent study found that 58% of American adults are experiencing loneliness.[1] How could this be, with a nearly constant stream of communication in all forms? Because we are missing meaningful connection.
There’s a fascinating look at how God designed us to connect with one another—and with Him—in Exodus 33. Moses had led the people of Israel out of Egypt, and they were camped for a time in the desert. While there, God had Moses construct a “tent of meeting” where they met daily together, one-on-one. Scripture says in this tent, “The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend” (Exodus 33:11). This is an astounding sentence when you examine it. Further, the Bible goes on to say that Moses was very frank with God. He argued and disagreed at times. Because that’s what friends do. The Tent of Meeting fostered a deep connection between God and Moses that went on for years.
Moses also wanted to know God more and be closer to Him and learn his ways. “Moses said to the Lord, ‘You have been telling me, ‘Lead these people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, ‘I know you by name and you have found favor with me.’ If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people. The Lord replied, ‘My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.’” (Exodus 33:12-14). Moses said in essence, “I want deep communication. I want a meaningful connection.” And God answered, “Yes.”
Today Christ-followers have a “tent of meeting” available to us. Just as Moses did, we can have a one-on-one conversation, and take to God our troubles and concerns, and we are even free to question or disagree with God and ask Him, “Why is this?” or “I don’t understand what You are doing here,” or “This is making me angry.” In Exodus the very presence of God would come down as a pillar of cloud over the Tent of Meeting. But today the very presence of God lives in us through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Our Tent of Meeting is not a physical tent, but rather ourselves—God calls us His temple (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). A Christ-follower’s daily time in prayer and Bible study is, in fact, no different than Moses’ visits to the Tent of Meeting. We can speak with God, learn about God, and know and understand God more. We can ask God, “Teach me Your ways,” and He will. This is a deep and abiding connection. God does not speak in texts and sound-bites and abbreviated emails. He has given us His Word and He talks through the Bible, and through prayer and through other Christ-followers. It is a connection that requires our full attention and concentration and presence of mind. The investment of your time in a connection with God will be richly rewarded.
The average American sends 72 text messages every day. About 50% of adults say a text is just as meaningful as a phone call. Photo: Shutterstock
A connection to God changes you. How will you know you are connecting to God in a meaningful way? You will be a different person. Your attitudes, actions, words and emotions will all be affected by your deepening relationship with God. After Moses met with God in the Tent of Meeting, he was physically different. Scripture says, “When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord. When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant, and they were afraid to come near him” (Exodus 34:29-30).
Moses came out of the presence of God literally glowing. Does your life and work glow radiantly as a result of your connection with God? In today’s culture we often speak of faith as a private matter. But Scripture shows us clearly that a relationship with God will affect every aspect of life, and people around you will know you have been with God because of the way in which you live.
Commit to time in the tent. Connecting to God also teaches us how to connect to one another. Spend time today and every day in your “Tent of Meeting” with God, through Bible study, prayer and worship. Choose a quiet place. Use a printed Bible and not an electronic one. Have a journal to jot down notes and prayer thoughts and requests. Maybe end your time by playing a favorite worship song. Do this first thing in the morning to set the tone for the rest of your day. Go to bed earlier if you have to. Avoid the temptation to noise-up your world immediately after—practice the discipline of being content with a little silence. The Tent of Meeting time is a blessing awaiting you that will have a lasting impact in your life and leadership.
[1] https://newsroom.cigna.com/loneliness-epidemic-persists-post-pandemic-look
Cover photo: Shutterstock
A dented car is much like a dented relationship. Sometimes the interactions with those around us get broken, and are in need of repair.