Turn Toward...

 There were many of us gathered for this going-away party, held in honor of dear friends who have greatly touched the community both through the husband's teaching career and also the family's impact at their local church. This parting has been bittersweet for all: we have assembled to learn more about how they plan to use this next life-chapter in full-time missions to assist youth around the world, yet we are also sad because we are losing some very special people.   

The husband gets up and gives us guidance for how the evening program will go: he wants prayer and praise to be at the heart of it. And I smile... shouldn't it always be? Then he asks us all to turn to the people next to us at our table and, with each specific prayer directive he will give us, interspersed with some collective worship, he wants us to intercede together. This approach is a unique one I haven't seen often, and I realize that, apart from my own family, I know nobody sitting at my table. I am interested as to how this will go. 

He gives us our first item for prayer, then says "Go!", and instantly, we all bow our heads and the room is suddenly filled with the intercession of the saints. It doesn't really matter that we aren't acquainted. We are united because of the Kingdom. And that is what counts the most. Other tables are deep in prayer quickly, finding the words readily. Mine seems to be quietly taking its time until the lady next to me speaks up first and begins to pray. Others follow. 

After a few minutes, the "amens" are pronounced, and we raise our voices in the first song of the night. This pattern of turn, pray, praise continues three more times until the evening wraps up and fellowship commences afterward. And I suddenly feel, as we do this cycle over and over again, a little taste of what that moment of Pentecost must've been like all those centuries ago in the early Church. I think of the modern worship song that talks of how "all the world starts changing when the Church starts praying" and it becomes clear to me that... 

The power, the healing is always in the turning.

As we linked our spirits in prayer each time, we were turning toward each other. God designed community in the very beginning because He knew it wasn't good for us to be alone (Gen. 2:18). If we are to experience transformative change, we need to the strength of others to accompany us on our journey through the challenges of life. I recently heard of a study that was done that analyzed different nations of the world and the level of independence vs. connection and community that each practices in their culture. They were rated from 1-100 (100 being the highest). Most countries came in at under 70 (and more like 30-40) in terms of independence, meaning that their communal connectedness was very high. But, in stark contrast, in at 91 out of 100, came the United States - the most independent yet least communally connected country in the world. No wonder we are so lonely! The thing we most pride ourselves on - our ability to do things for ourselves, to be our own person, to use our own brain - is also the thing that's led us to detach from most of our collective cohesion, leaving the faith community as one of the only remaining bastions of togetherness. And even then, it's not always healthy or strong. 

But not only is the turning toward each other of great importance but, even more so, is the turning of our hearts toward God. God made us for each other, yes. Yet He ultimately made us for Himself... to bring Him glory and to do His work. So with every voice that was raised in united praise, we proclaimed that we place Him at the center of it all and gather ourselves around the presence of our Creator in submitted thanks and honor. 

The world's way is to tell you to turn inward... to only depend on yourself... but look where that's gotten us! The science data is telling us that other nations are outpacing America in terms of communal activity and connection, and that's a problem. Even more concerning is the fact that this is going against everything that God is about: relationship. In John 15, Jesus makes it clear that connection and affection is our way forward. Not independence. Stay attached to Him, and you can't go wrong. Let Him prune your life, and you will learn to grow. Trust the Gardener and He will cause you to bear fruit for Him. 

I look around and I see and hear all these people... probably at least 80-100 of them... all in these small circles of intimate connection, interceding for the broken and those going to help them, and I'm struck by the scene. How rare it is! In not many places these days could you see a passionate and compassionate group of strangers unite in such a way. And then, I discover that the lady next to me works with someone I've known all my life. The young man sitting with his family across from me was a student in my dad's middle school band years ago. And we're all here because we have these mutual friends in common and we wish to honor them and send them off well. 

We're more tied together than we think. That much is clear to me. Especially where it involves a common faith and Lord. And I see that the key to finding the life you've always wanted is to get your selfishness out of the way and turn. Turn toward those who care about you. Turn toward the God who made and loves you. Put the essentials in the center of your life and work out from there. Make praise and prayer the lifeline of your existence. In the turning toward, you discover a richer and fuller life than you ever thought possible. Why? Because it takes you back to the beginning of your humanity: it's not good for us to go at this journey alone. 

So this week, as you go about your daily responsibilities and schedule, ask yourself in what ways do you need to turn toward: 

is it your spouse or significant other? 

is it your extended family? 

is your friends? 

is it your accountability partner? 

is it your therapist or counselor? 

perhaps a mentor? 

is it your Maker? 

If there are ways in which you've been turning away from the life-giving sources God has established and been thinking that you can do this by yourself, I can promise you it won't end well. Take to heart the invitation that gentleman gave the other night and turn toward. That is where you'll find the meaning and the healing you so desperately need.