Starving For Attention Or Connection?

Today is our ‘Taking Requests Tuesday’. This request came in last month, but I needed to let it sit with me and God for awhile. I love this woman’s transparency and vulnerable heart in admitting she doesn’t know why she always feels like she needs more. She goes on to explain it isn’t necessarily a monetary starving or a dietary starving alone. She focusses on trying to get more time, friends, and everything she thinks is good. She says it is a nagging need that she doesn’t let overtake her but it is exhausting and never ends.

I think this is a bigger problem today than many of us recognize, only a few admit, and surely we struggle to know what to do with it!

There are so many things I want to say and yet I know this is just one blog that I must keep readable and focussed. I will likely turn this into a podcast for a deeper look at the ins and outs of this concern. For now, a think a great place to start would be on gaining clarity as to what we are truly longing for…

ATTENTION or CONNECTION?

Let’s look at a few of the examples she shared with me; food, money, things, friends, and time. When I google the two words, connection, and attention, for their definition I get this…

con·nec·tion kəˈnekSH(ə)n/Submit noun 1. a relationship in which a person, thing, or idea is linked or associated with something else. “the connections between social attitudes and productivity” synonyms: link, relationship, relation, interconnection, interdependence, association;

at·ten·tion əˈten(t)SH(ə)n/Submit noun 1. notice taken of someone or something; the regarding of someone or something as interesting or important. “he drew attention to three spelling mistakes” synonyms: awareness, notice, observation, heed, regard, scrutiny, surveillance “he tried to attract the attention of a policeman”

Now I know these definitions speak very generally but I cannot miss a bit of insight. In this busy world, we focus our direction on what is ‘important’. Which may even be God for some but we can so easily get off by searching the world for understanding the importance of things like food, money, friends, time and yes, even God.

What I feel calling to me is clarity about redirecting our search. This search needing to be of KNOWING God, not that of the world. And this focus must be based on BUILDING A RELATIONSHIP WITH God- versus simply understanding God’s importance alone.

The distinct difference in the two definitions is ‘relationship’ verses ‘importance’. It is so good to see all the glory in the world (friendships, wonderful food, awesome blessings). And I know this woman enough to know she desires to do good. She knows the importance of eating well and feels the pull to do so. She shows great scrutiny in choosing wonderful friends. And, last, she is aware of the value a minute, hour, and day can provide. This sounds so great, yet she feels empty, tired, and in want.

Today I say let’s direct our focus with all of the above-mentioned items to include a relationship with God. Most of us already have this relationship at some level. But, I mean for us to deeply commit our bodies to God- so as we eat the focus is not to fill a worldly hunger but rather a function our bodies must take to sustain and do the work we know God is calling us to do (as a result of knowing Him and His wishes). Let’s commit to seeing material possessions as useless items except for in the rare opportunities that they may be used to build loving relationships. Let’s gather friends out of a passion for love and care, not a need to build strength or support. And last, where time is counted by loving connections that moves from one encounter to the next.

So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:17-21.

Today let’s focus on our love for God, on building a relationship with our FATHER and the work He has missioned us to do, and on the loving connections we shall make as the seconds, minutes, hours, and days of our Christ provided eternity draws near.

Faith Infused Living… Reaching Goals Higher!

Niccie Kliegl CLC, RN, Author of Awaking the Living Legacy  

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