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A Life Less Lonely

It seems like we should have far more time and ability to live a connected life than ancient people. Technology means that we have more capacity to reach more people, even people all across the globe! We can physically and virtually travel anywhere. And yet, there is a widely-recognized loneliness epidemic in modern life. As the joke goes, Jesus’ greatest miracle was not walking on water, but having 12 close friends in his 30’s! Even though Jesus was constantly on the move, he knew how to prioritize the kinds of connections that would make life meaningful. In this series, we’ll learn from his example how to push back against the loneliness which is endemic in modern life.

The Expert Level

Oct 15, 2023

When we do things well enough in life, we develop a comfortable rhythm. Being in our comfort zone feels good! But if we stay there long enough, we end up complacent, even stagnant. How do we take a steady, predictable life to the next level, without having to feel dissatisfied with or ungrateful for the life we have?

(Growth is a necessary part of truly living—to stop growing is to stop living. Nevertheless, the best way to continue to grow after you’ve achieved success is to invest in someone else’s growth journey. There is always someone around you who needs the wisdom you’ve learned! By investing in their growth, you stand to reap unprecedented levels of satisfaction and growth yourself! Jesus followed a 4-stage plan of developing others through hands-on mentorship. To stay connected and energized, walk alongside someone else and model for them how to take a next step to level up.)

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The New Technique

Oct 8, 2023

We make connections with people for all sorts of reasons. Often, we connect over work, or through competition, or based on mutual interests. Social science has shown that we most easily connect over shared anger and outrage. But those kinds of connections don’t leave us feeling invigorated and joyful. Is there a more positive way to connect with others?

(Jesus sent the apostles out to do a difficult thing, something that could very well provoke anger in others. And he gave them a different posture to take with people around them: peace. When we seek to become people of peace, and when we let peace be our strong, connective feeling with others—then we ensure that more and more of our relationships will be for the better. And the overall outlook of our lives will look and feel far more positive and joyful!)

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The Revolutionary Power Source

Oct 1, 2023

We know the rules of earthly success and power—maximize your control over yourself and over the people/things around you that impact your success. But this is ultimately a burned-out way to live. We can never adequately meet the unexpected difficulties and crises of life. Is there a way to exceed our human limits so that we can have the resilience to face all the trials in our lives?

(Only when we relinquish control to God do we tap into His unlimited power. And the only way to live a life of divinely-blessed surrender, is to regularly turn to God in prayer.)

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The Three Relationship Settings

Sep 24, 2023

We know relationships are important, but it’s so hard to do them well. Do we need more relationships or fewer? What kind? How do we recognize and prioritize the full range of healthy relationships that we need?

(Jesus shows us that we need a “healthy” mix of relationships in our life—we can’t be close with everybody in our lives, nor should we be. Instead, we should be intentional to have three categories of relationships in our lives: Up-In-Out. At least one person we look UP to who can mentor and guide us. At least one person in our inner circle, a confidante and friend. And at least one person OUT in the crowd, into whom we can pour out what Christ has poured into us.)

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The Power of the Pause Button

Sep 17, 2023

It seems like the only way to get ahead is to work harder, smarter—more!—than the people around you. We prioritize achievement over connection, assuming the former will be richer—and the result is that we’re unhappy, lonely, and tired. Is it time to reevaluate achievement’s value proposition?

(Biblical rhythms of rest are an underused silver bullet for energy and connection. Christ models for us that making space for “Sabbath” is always relational, solves the loneliness problem, rests our bodies, and ultimately gives us something richer than achievement ever can give.)

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Act Now to Make a Change

Sep 10, 2023

So often we find ourselves stuck on an isolating trajectory in our lives. The relentless pace required to function makes people feel more isolated than ever. We feel trapped by the choices we’ve already made. Can we find a new, more-connecting way to move through life?

(Jesus extends us the same invitation he extended to some ancient fishermen—it’s never too late for us to answer His call to choose connection and community over relentless productivity.)

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