Lou’s head was spinning. Amongst the flashing lights, stench of alcohol, and intoxicated friends dancing around her, suddenly she was deaf to the music and her knees buckled as a wave of misery hit. “I’m so alone.” In her loneliness, Lou went on her own pursuit of connection, partying hard to impress her friends and flirting outrageously with the guys that paid her attention. In her pursuit for instant connection, Lou was only left with isolation.

We all do it. Pursue connection. The reason is beautiful; God made us to exist in connection with Him. For those that know Jesus, this is a relationship in which we find wholeness and safety, but those that don’t are burdened with a longing to be connected to something, but no idea what to do with it. The result is messy. Our society has forgotten how to do relationships well, and instead looks for an “instant hit”. From “liking” posts at the expense of real conversation, to one night stands and networking simply to be known, our society is finding itself home to more and more lonely people.

We weren’t were made for that. Ever wondered why you feel so alive when you’re out in nature? It’s because we’re surrounded by God’s handiwork, and the inbuilt desire to connect with Him is met. We were made to live in relationship, and not just with the Father but with others, too. The more we become aware of the glory of living in relationship with our redeemer, the more we feel responsibility to invite others to join with us, and to join Him.  

University can be isolating, as young adults get thrown into independence and try and stay afloat via their quick fix instant connections. God is calling the church worldwide to encourage students in the one relationship that really matters, and we can be instrumental in making this happen. Fusion has heard God speak about student mission in the UK, and also in Europe, and whilst we cannot BE the church in Europe, we can certainly live, work and breathe in step with the Father and CONNECT the church.

So, another #EscapeAndPray plug... could it be an opportunity to connect some of the links in the net God is forming over Europe? Could your relationship with the Father bring joy to students, leading them to leave their “quick fixes” behind for the sake of a much more permanent connection? God is calling us to build His global Church, connecting believers, all the while welcoming new ones. #EscapeAndPray is the opportunity to do just that.