It has been a little over a week now since I joined Substack, an online community/ social-media platform where those who love to think deep esoteric thoughts can put them out there for the world to read.
Within the Substack community, it has been fascinating to discover all the many different sub-groups:
– there are those who are serious literary writers;
– there are the poets;
– there are those who love to write about politics;
– there are health/nutrition writers;
– there are brain/science writers;
– there are Mommy-bloggers;
etc. …
Right away the algorithm pegged me as a “Nature/Artsy” type of person (I have no idea how it figured this out so quickly!) … and my newsfeed began showing wonderful posts by nature photographers, outdoor enthusiasts, and many different types of artists.
When it comes to the Substack community, we are all strangers … none of us know each other at all … and yet we are all “connected.”
As I read the posts of these wonderful people, I feel like I am right there with them in the Scottish Highlands, enjoying the breathtaking scenery.
Or wandering the narrow alleyways of London at Christmastime; or sipping tea in a cozy London tea-shop.
I feel like I am right there with them in their art studio as they paint a lynx. (what amazing talent!)
I am in awe with them of their misty-morning sunrise!
I delight with them over the moose twins which chewed on their lilacs then slobbered all over their windows!
I love to see their dog photobombing their waterfall photo!
These small glimpses into these total strangers’ lives make me feel somehow “connected.”
What is even more amazing is that God, the creator of the cosmos – this God wants to “connect” with me. That is mind-blowing!
* The way I delight in “rambling the Scottish Highlands” with a total stranger (via their online post) … God wants to delight in rambling through my own “highlands” with me, as I go about my day.
* The way I “go along” with the artist (via her beautiful online artwork) through the narrow London alleyways and into quaint, cozy tea-shops … God likewise wants to “go along with me” in my own life as I share with him my own unique point of view! God wants to delight as I use my own unique creative giftings to make the world a beautiful place!
* The way my heart aches for the person who pours out their pain in their online post, so also God’s heart aches with me as I pour out my pain to him.
* Just as my heart is uplifted as I read “comments” of so many random strangers responding with positivity and encouragement to each other’s posts … so also, God’s heart is uplifted when he sees us responding to each other with love and kindness and encouragement!
* Just as writers love to hear from their “subscribers” and “followers” … and are very responsive to messages and comments … in the same way God loves to hear from me! God is very responsive! Have you ever had anyone “ghost” you and completely ignore your text messages? God doesn’t do this! God responds! God loves to hear from us! And God responds!
* Just like writers are thrilled when someone “subscribes” and “follows” … so also, God is thrilled when we choose to put our faith in Jesus Christ and follow Him! God is thrilled! In fact, a party is thrown in heaven every time someone makes that decision to follow Jesus! (Luke 15:7, 10)
* Just like writers work hard to provide encouraging, relevant content on a regular basis for their “subscribers” and “followers” … so also, in the same way God has fresh content for us every day! Every day there is new encouraging, relevant content which God has for us! It’s in the Bible! All we have to do is open it up and read it. God has a fresh new word for us each day to help us make it though our day!
God wants to “connect” with me!
God wants to hear from me!
God wants to “connect” with you too!
God wants to hear from you!
God wants me to share with him all that I’m thinking and feeling.
God wants you to share with him all that you are thinking and feeling.
God wants to delight in those things you delight in.
God wants to weep with you in your sorrow.
God wants us to reach out to him and “leave a comment.”
God will respond!
God loves you! God wants to “connect” with you!
“This is what the LORD says, he who made the earth, the LORD who formed it and established it – the LORD is his name: ‘Call to me and I will answer you.’” – Jeremiah 33:2-3
