When we got a group of young adults together last summer to ask what they thought the church had to offer people in their 20s and 30s, the unanimous answer was “connection.” Although we have so many cool gadgets that help us stay connected, there’s a longing (one that I don’t think is unique to those in their 20s and 30s) for connections with others that go deeper than text messages and emails.
I loved reading in Life After Life of the interactions between Abby and Sadie and between Rachel and CJ. In both relationships there was a large age gap between the two characters – but that didn’t matter. These relationships were great gifts to the characters and helped them to thrive in difficult circumstances. When contrasted with Kendra, who was incapable of anything but superficial connections with others, the power of the timeless Abby/Sadie and Rachel/CJ bonds were all the more striking.
This summer I’ve been on the cook team for two Sunday suppers and have witnessed connections similar to those in Life After Life. While working together to prepare a meal, old and young alike shared stories with each other and experienced new connections. This is perhaps the greatest gift the church has to offer: opportunities to experience real and deep connections with others. It’s through these connections that we can experience a greater union with Christ, who is the balm for the great loneliness of our time.
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