Created for Connection
From the moment we are born, humans are created to connect. To fully understand this, I believe it's important to look both to Scripture—the basis of all truth—and to how science reflects that truth.
First, we must begin with how humans are uniquely created. Above all other species and created things, humans are distinct in that we are made in the image of God. Genesis 1:26 says, “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness.’” Verse 27 continues, “So God created man in his own image; he created him in the image of God; he created them male and female.” Nothing else in creation—on earth or in the heavens—was designed to reflect the image of God in the way that men and women are.
To break these verses down further, it’s important to notice the “we/us” language used by God Himself. This is one of the first glimpses of the Triune God—one God in three distinct, yet inseparable, persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God exists in perfect unity and community with Himself. As the creation narrative continues into Genesis 2, we see a more detailed account of the creation of man. Strikingly, one of the only things God declares “not good” is that man is alone—even though he is in relationship with God.
What we can glean from these verses is this: men and women are uniquely created in the image of a God who exists in connection and community, and we are created for relationship—with God and with one another.
Of course, these connections are tragically severed in the next chapter.
Genesis 3 is one of the most heartbreaking chapters in Scripture. It marks the entrance of sin into paradise, bringing devastating and deadly consequences. Humanity’s relationship with God is fractured. The man and woman’s relationship becomes marked by blame and strife. Man’s relationship with the earth and with work becomes toilsome. Shame, sorrow, sickness, death, and destruction enter and take hold. From this moment forward, all of creation is affected by sin and death—not just physical death, but spiritual and relational as well.
But God, being rich in love and mercy, had a plan for our redemption. The rest of Scripture tells the story of sin’s effects and God’s provision for restoration—a way for reconciliation with Him and renewed relationships with others. He sent His Son to live a perfect life, die for our sins, and rise again so we might have redemption and hope. Jesus broke down the dividing wall of hostility between us and God and invited us into reconciliation. As 2 Corinthians 5:18–21 tells us, we are now entrusted with the ministry of reconciliation. As we enter into relationship with Jesus, we begin to see heaven come to earth—God’s kingdom taking root—and human relationships being restored.
Beyond Scripture, neuroscience and psychology reflect these same truths. A powerful example of this is found in what are called mirror neurons—a type of brain cell discovered in the 1990s that helps explain how deeply we are wired for connection. These neurons fire not only when we perform an action, but also when we observe someone else doing the same thing. In other words, when you see someone smile, your brain begins to mirror that smile internally, even if you don’t physically respond. The same happens when we witness another person in pain, joy, or distress—our brains light up in ways that reflect their experience.
This is more than a biological reaction; it’s evidence of how God has designed us for empathy, attunement, and shared experience. Mirror neurons allow us to understand what others are feeling, making it possible to “rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15). They also form the foundation for attachment, trust, and emotional safety—key components of healthy relationships and emotional healing.
Through these neurons, we see a glimpse of the Imago Dei in action: we were created not only for relationship, but with the capacity to deeply understand and connect with others. It is another way in which God’s design—both spiritually and biologically—reflects His desire for wholeness, unity, and love among His people.
Mirror neurons are just one example of how our brains reflect God’s design for connection. Another powerful lens that echoes this truth is attachment theory.
Attachment theory teaches that for humans to flourish—from cradle to grave—we must experience safety and connection with trusted others. This secure base gives us the confidence to explore, grow, and take healthy risks. This is known as the dependency paradox: the more we are able to depend on and lean into safe, supportive relationships, the more independent and resilient we become. We flourish in freedom because we know we are tethered to love.
This, too, is seen in our biology. From infancy, mirror neurons help us attune to our caregivers, enabling us to sense and reflect their emotions, form emotional bonds, and begin to understand ourselves through another’s gaze. These early relational patterns shape how we experience connection, safety, and worth throughout our lives.
Unfortunately, much of modern culture—even in Christian communities—pushes us in the opposite direction. We’re often encouraged to adopt a hyper-independent mindset, believing that needing others is a weakness. Some claim they don’t need the Church to have a relationship with God, or that they don’t need God to have healthy, thriving relationships with others.
But this contradicts how we were created and what Scripture teaches. One of my favorite things to explore and share is how science and Scripture are not at odds. In fact, they often tell the same story in different languages. All truth is God’s truth. And we see clearly—from both God’s Word and the research in neuroscience and psychology—that disconnection from God and others harms our spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical health.
But the good news is this: we are not stuck in disconnection. Through Christ, we are invited back into relationship—with God, with ourselves, and with others. As we step into safe, healing relationships and learn to attune and be attuned to, we reflect the very image of a relational, loving God. Whether in therapy, community, or spiritual formation, every step toward connection is a step toward wholeness.
