In [Christ Jesus] and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. (Eph. 3:12)

SOCIAL NETWORKING websites have been around since the mid-1990s. But in recent years, social networking has exploded across the Web. None, however, have exploded as quickly as Twitter. Closing in on five hundred million users, Twitter sees over one million new users sign on each day. Part of Twitter’s appeal is the access it gives to famous people. Whether the famous person you want to follow is Brittany Spears or Beth Moore, followers read tweets that include personal information and pictures, creating a sense of intimacy between participant and follower. Where else can I send a direct message to a movie star or have a well-known Christian blogger retweet something I said? Whether perceived or real, Twitter has the feel of a discourse equalizer and opens up the conversation to anyone. And this level playing field has helped skyrocket the social networking site’s success.

It is this equal access to the most powerful that Paul pointed to in the third chapter of Ephesians. He reminded us that, because of Jesus, we have access to God. We may not have any right to enter into a holy God’s presence, but in the company of Jesus, we can approach God with humble confidence that we aren’t just made to feel like we belong for a moment—but that we truly belong. Paul called this, in verse 9, a mystery.

Come to God with humble confidence that you belong!

Andrea Summers is an ordained minister and has served on staff in her local church for five years. She is the director of Women’s Ministry for The Wesleyan Church.