“Jesus wants to be the first link in the attachment chain. He wants us to turn first to Him, not to our parents or our spouses or anyone else. And when we do, our lives become properly ordered.”
Tim Clinton & Gary Sibcy
Our culture today lacks healthy attachments. As a result, we find ourselves insecure and having difficulty trusting others which leads us into a cul-de-sac of loneliness. When we lack intimacy or closeness with God and others we end up replacing relationships with things. Being bankrupt of emotional intimacy propels us into establishing empty addictions.
Whenever I think of attachments I remember a time when my son was three and for some reason he disliked going into his Sunday School class. He would literally cling to one of my legs with both of his arms and legs and not let go of me. He was firmly attached.
In Clinton and Sibcy’s book, “Attachments,” they say that “If the attachment figure is sufficiently near, responsive and attuned, then the child feels secure, loved and confident.” The greater our attachment to God, the greater our security, love and confidence becomes.
One of my favorite Scriptures speaks of God’s nearness. Hebrews 13:5b says, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” I remind myself of this when I’m about to walk into a fearful situation: before I speak in front of an audience or when I have to confront someone. I gain confidence knowing I won’t be alone in facing my fears, because God is right next to me.
Access to God through prayer is one way I attach myself to Him. Psalm 102:17 promises God’s response to our prayers. I love sitting still before God listening to Him share His heart with me. Soaking in God’s presence is another way I gain His accessibility. It’s in moments like these I feel most secure.
In John 10:14-15, Jesus states He’s the good shepherd and that He knows us. Like a good shepherd, Jesus is attuned to our needs, wants and desires. He is sensitive toward our hurts and aware of our dreams. I feel loved because Jesus knows, understands and accepts me from the inside out.
John 15:4-5 speaks about abiding or firmly attaching each of our arms and legs around Jesus, our Vine. “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” God promises a two-way relationship; when we dwell in Him, He then will dwell in us.
Watchman Nee says, “The character of the fruit is always determined by the Vine.” In other words, we will become like whoever or whatever we attach ourselves to. When we attach ourselves to Jesus, we will look like Jesus. The outcome is bearing much fruit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23a)
God is the supreme attachment figure, one that provides us comfort, safety and security. Trusting God is central to our intimacy and attachment. Jesus is worthy of our trust and dependence. Attach yourself to Jesus and you will not be disappointed. (Psalm 22:5)
“It’s upon…our relationship with God, that every good element of our lives, especially all our other relationships, is based.”
Timothy Clinton & Gary Sibcy
Relevant Reflections:
1. Who or what are you attached to?
2. Where does your comfort, safety and security come from?
3. What can you do this week to attach yourself more firmly to Jesus?