"The Miracle of Human Connection"

2nd Corinthians 6.11-13 NIV

“We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you.

“We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. As a fair exchange — I speak as to my children — open wide your hearts also.”

I live for human connection. So do you. Paul also longed for depth in his relationships with those he loved. His life was an open book. He gave the gift of himself. “Withholding... affection” was not a part of Paul’s missionary game plan. He “opened wide” his heart to the people Jesus called him to serve.

“We... opened wide our hearts to you. We are not withholding
our affection from you... open wide your hearts also.”

The most precious gift you can offer another human being is the gift of yourself. Its risky to tell the truth about who you are, where you’ve been, how you’ve failed, and what you believe. When you “open wide” your heart and share your “affection,” you may not receive the same in return. Reciprocity is not guaranteed. But when it happens, it’s a miracle; the miracle of human connection....

• An audience laughs spontaneously at a comedian’s joke
• The pastor’s sermon penetrates to the heart of someone in his congregation
• A child receives and responds to a parent’s affection
• A man and woman meet and fall in love
• A teacher witnesses his students want to learn
• A married couple have the unspeakable joy of sexual intimacy
• Friends meet for coffee and share confidences
• Enemies find common ground and learn to forgive
• Someone meets Jesus for the first time

These miracles happen when hearts are “opened wide” and signs of “affection” are freely shown. 

What can I do this day to help foster the miracle of human connection?

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The image above called "day 20 may 14 open heart" is used by permission of photographer Genevieve Casey whose excellent work can be viewed at http://www.flickr.com/photos/42037390@N00/.