Fearlessly Courageous
Desk of Dennis Piller
9 5 025
The Generational Damage of Not Being Connected
Who’s really watching your life? You may think no one is looking anymore—your kids are grown, your life feels private—but the truth is, your influence is generational. Whether you’re plugged into Christ or not—it will ripple down to children, grandchildren, and even beyond. The question is: are you connected to the Source, or are you just existing like a lamp that never gets plugged in?
1. The Power of Connection
Jesus said: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing.” (John 15:5).
You can have all the right parts—the lamp, the cord, the bulb—but if you’re not plugged in, it gives no light. Many believers today have the right pieces: a Bible on the shelf, a memory of baptism, even church attendance—but no living connection.
2. The Subtle Drift
Disconnection doesn’t happen in one day. It creeps in like a drip under the sink. At first, it may appear small, but over time, it causes significant damage.
The writer of Hebrews warns us: “We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.” (Hebrews 2:1).
If we aren’t intentional, we drift—not just from God, but from each other. And drifting always costs more than we expected.
3. When Connection Is Lost
Jesus told the church in Laodicea: “You are neither cold nor hot… because you are lukewarm, I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” (Revelation 3:15–16).
That church still had its buildings, its programs, its faith statements—but no fire. The connection was gone. Isn’t that what happens in marriages, in families, even in churches? We go through the motions, but the power is missing.
4. The Generational Ripple
This is where it gets serious. Our disconnection doesn’t just affect us. It shapes what our kids and grandkids learn.
Scripture says: “Showing love to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commandments.” (Exodus 20:6).
When we stay connected, the blessing flows. When we drift, the damage spreads. Think about the Dead Sea—water flows in, but nothing flows out. Did you know, historically, the Dead Sea was once connected to the ocean, but it is now a closed basin with no outlet, with water leaving only through evaporation. Can you see the correlation to our lives as once vibrant Christians? But now, after the drift, no outlet, no connection, no life. Having all of the right parts, all of the pieces that you need to really be connected and to be cut off, for a multitude of reasons, none of them hold water, do they? That’s what happens when we live disconnected lives.
5. Fighting Isolation
The enemy loves isolation. A disconnected believer is a defeated believer.
That’s why Hebrews urges us: “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:25).
We must fight for connection—to God, to family, to church, to community. Think of it, to not be plugged in, not connected, so we could enjoy the joy of living that God intended. The beauty of the light whose brilliance is cut off is so despairing.
I see these wonderful gifts of living we are supposed to give to our children. Still, we become too busy to stay connected, and they don’t really get the fruit, the tools, the weapons, the formula, the relationship to really be connected in their own life to Christ. What a travesty that is, because the ripple effect of your connected life will reach farther than you ever imagine.
So here’s the challenge: Plug back in. Reconnect. If something has drifted in your marriage—reconnect. If your family feels distant—reconnect. If your walk with God feels dry—plug back into the Vine.
Because your connection today is building a legacy tomorrow. And the light of Christ shining through you is not just for you—it’s for generations to come.
“Father, forgive us for the times we have drifted, for the moments we have gone through the motions without being truly connected to You. Lord, reconnect our hearts to the Vine, Jesus Christ
. Restore our passion for You. Rebuild what has slipped in our marriages, families, and church.
Protect us from the enemy’s trap of isolation.
Let us live plugged into Your power, so that the light of Christ shines—not only in us, but through us,
to bless our children, our grandchildren, and generations we will never meet.
We ask this in Jesus’ name—Amen.”
I will be hosting an Online Discovering Jesus 5-week class on Tuesday nights
Sept. 9nd, at 7pm ONLINE for people of all ages. If you know someone who might like to grow their faith. Please send me a note if you would like to attend or know someone who would. If you have a big screen at home, you can create a time to invite friends or neighbors who would like to join you in a Home Group for 5 weeks. Let’s get creative. Here is your link to join us on Tuesday. If you desire to invite someone send them this email and just have them join us. https://meet.google.com/cfm-udos-iks
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Michael W Smith Worthy is the Lamb Hallelujah
