Camp Followers

“The number you have reached has been DISCONNECTED. Please check the number and try again.”

“If you don’t remit payment by…. Your service will be DISCONNECTED!”

Guess what I am writing about today…you got it!!! Molecular Biology! Ha Ha… well it sounded funny.

Do cell phones, the Internet and cable TV (to name a few) make you feel disconnected from the world? For example: Cell Phones….There is a connection between the idea of place and the reality of cellular telephones. Places are unique and we strive to experience them as a kind of engagement with there uniqueness. Cell phones are precisely the opposite. Can you remember who you called yesterday morning (without looking at your phone)?

What are some feelings associated with disconnection? Isolation; “left out”, “out of the loop”; lack of identity; lack of purpose or just feeling you don’t belong. Eventually it can lead people to resentment, apathy, and depression. Disconnected people often make bad decisions.

What Causes a Feeling of Being Disconnected? How about when the group is overlooking new members; or is uncomfortable with people who are perceived to be different. The disciples were shocked to see Jesus at Jacob’s well talking to the Samaritans in John 4. Why? There is a genuine concern about “outsiders” and not knowing how to connect, or being intimidated by them.

Sometimes people say that they are not involved because they feel disconnected. However, it is often the other way around. The reason they may feel disconnected is because they are not involved.
When someone is not involved, they have a limited investment in the group’s mission. When someone is not involved, they have a limited sense of ownership.

When someone has hidden sin and unrepentant, it may lead to a feeling of being disconnected in the Church. When you are disconnected from God, you will not have positive connections with God’s people.

A Lack of Forgiveness will lead to a feeling of disconnection. A lack of willingness to move with God will result in a feeling of disconnection. There is disconnecting when being part of the group is not a priority.

So, what’s the solution?

We must reach out to everyone, because we never know who is feeling left out. Our Church ministries must target people that match the purpose for that ministry and those who feel left out need to evaluate themselves, and ask themselves some tough questions…..Am I reaching out to others?.

Proverbs 18:24 a man that hath friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

Don’t wait for people to come to you…go to them. Then ask yourself:

1.       Am I seeking and making an effort to be involved, or am I waiting to be asked?

2.        Do I have repentance to sin in my life that has created a wall around me?

3.        Do I have a lack of Forgiveness in my heart?

When Moses was in the wilderness heading for the Promised Land and when the pillar of fire moved, everyone in the camp moved with it. If you stayed behind, you were on your own. No water from the Rock…no Manna.

Are we being ‘left behind’ because we don’t want to move along with the rest of the Camp in what God is doing? Or are you a Camp Follower?