Made For Communion

When my husband and I were preparing to go on the mission field many moons ago, we asked our pastor if we could visit every home group within our church body to raise financial and prayer support. I knew from my own experience the value of face-to-face connection. I confess, I find it difficult to invest in others financially or prayerfully if I haven’t had a personal encounter with them.

Our experience in support raising proved the point, I think. Not only were we fully supported before we left the States—but for the duration of our time on the field, too. And many of the relationships that began through those meetings remained after we returned. In the end, it was the personal connection that endured.

I’ve been thinking about this as I process my experience at the American Christian Fiction Writer’s conference last week in Missouri.

On a professional level, God opened doors in the wildest ways, and the morning after I came home, I spent a good chunk of time simply recording in my journal the myriad ways I saw him move. And while some of those moments may hold potential for my book (time will tell), the greatest gift from the conference was simply connecting with like-minded writers.

In the earliest pages of Scripture, God says something profoundly significant: It is not good for man to be alone. God saw Adam and knew his deep need for intimacy and companionship. In our digital age, we often connect via social media, texting, or even through Zoom or Facetime (where we at least receive the benefit of seeing someone’s face).

I’m deeply grateful we have this technology—I keep up with friends who live across the country or around the globe. I’m able to “see” my college-aged sons who live hours away from me. I have also met a plethora of incredible people in these spheres, including other writers.

But as I had the opportunity to meet with many of those same people at the conference, I was reminded that nothing compares to meeting someone in person. Furthermore, I met several authors whose books were on my to-be-read list, and for one reason or the other, I just hadn’t gotten around to reading them. However, after lovely conversations with them, their books moved to top priority. Glimpses into their hearts made me want to encounter more of them through their words. Further proof of my earlier point, I daresay.

A writer’s calling and craft often demands long hours of isolation. However, I’d like to suggest that investing time in writing communities is not just beneficial, but a necessity. The digital world simply cannot reproduce the bond and growth that occurs when people share the same time and space with another.

Local meetings and conferences, such as Idahope’s Fall Gathering, are tremendous opportunities to connect with like-minded writers. I hope you’ll consider joining me this October!

After all, friends, we were made for communion.

Originally published on Letters and Literature https://tiffanylink.substack.com/

Not all views expressed are those of every ICW Member.