propinquity

In the business world, the most important element for success is not what you know and how amazing your platform can be. Rather it is simply having a large network. Connections. It’s who you know and who they know. It’s all about propinquity.

The term was first coined in 1950 by social psychologists Festinger, Schachter and Back. In the Westgate Study, the psychologists interviewed college students staying in identical dormitory buildings. They questioned them about whom had they formed the closest connections. Apparently, proximity made a difference because students demonstrated that other students living one or two dorm rooms away were closer friends than any who were farther away. Growing up, many of us can relate to the fact that if family and friends lived close by, we would spend more time with them and be closer to them, not only physically, but emotionally as well.

This Latin word - “propinquity” - could refer to either kinship or proximity. It is the state of being dear or near. I like to think that Jesus is both. We are God’s children and have been adopted by Him and we are born again as Christians into the family of God. The Message tells us in Romans 8: 15-17 that:

This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike “What’s next, Papa?” God’s Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children. And we know we are going to get what’s coming to us—an unbelievable inheritance! We go through exactly what Christ goes through. If we go through the hard times with him, then we’re certainly going to go through the good times with him!

As believers, Jesus is dear to our hearts, minds and souls and walks with us daily. And so, what are we doing with our connections - to God and others? Are we living with expectant adventure?

First of all, we need to accept Jesus as our Savior and we can draw closer to God. The spirit of the living God lives within us - that’s close! We only need to ask Him to fill us.

Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father. Galations 4:6

Studying the bible, worshiping and praising God are other ways to stay connected. Being involved with others through acts of service, bible studies or different activities keeps us connected as well. Having faith and trust in our Creator moves us along in our faith journey. We can be examples of Christ as we connect with others. Let’s work on that propinquity with Jesus too!