The Power of Touch

In the business community, there’s a lot of talk about automation and the jobs it eliminates. While automation saves businesses money and increases efficiency, is it truly the best thing for our society?

From what I see with my clients and in my own life, automation can be a death sentence to brilliance, ingenuity, problem-solving, and human growth. It also impacts our quality of life in ways we don’t always consider.

Think about this: When I order a product online and need customer support, it’s nearly impossible to speak with a human. If my issue doesn’t fit their automated system’s limited options, I’m stuck. I’ve spent money on something that ultimately doesn’t serve me.

Even worse, some businesses make canceling a subscription intentionally difficult. No cancel button, no clear process—just frustration. It feels like a setup: they market to me, take my money, and then disappear. And if they do have a customer service team, it takes days just to get a response. Why?

If you’ve invested time and money into building a business, why not prioritize real connection? Your audience should be able to reach you, to feel your concern, to know they matter beyond a transaction.

The Power of Connection—From a Spiritual Perspective

God is all about connection. He doesn’t save us and then leave us to figure things out alone. He desires daily—moment-by-moment—connection because that’s what keeps us strong and on the right path.

The Bible says, “Forsake not the assembling of yourselves together.” Why? Because connection strengthens us. Iron sharpens iron. We need each other to grow, for encouragement, to encourage one another, to intercede in prayer, and to stand together in faith.

God specifically calls us to care for the most vulnerable—orphans, widows, the elderly. They often experience the deepest isolation. If the Bible places such emphasis on connection, why is society pushing us in the opposite direction? Why are businesses making human interaction so difficult?

The Danger of Isolation

Statistics show that Gen Z and elderly populations are among the loneliest groups in the world. There’s a difference between being alone and being lonely. You can live alone and have a full, thriving life. But loneliness? That’s a different story.

You can be surrounded by people and still feel completely disconnected. And that lack of connection doesn’t just affect your emotions—it impacts your mental and spiritual health.

Loneliness creates an entry point for fear, depression, and destructive thoughts. It isolates you to the point where you no longer know how to connect with others. The enemy takes advantage of this, whispering lies: “You’re not loved. You don’t matter. No one sees you.”

The further we drift from meaningful connection, the harder it becomes to rebuild it. Isolation can lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms—overeating, substance abuse, self-destructive behavior. It’s a dangerous cycle that we must be intentional about breaking.

Connection in Business, Marriage, and Ministry

So, let’s think about this—whether we are business owners, married, single, or leading in ministry.

Business Owners:

• Do you really need to be that distant from your customers?

• Wouldn’t they benefit from real interaction with you—not just to make a sale, but to know that you care?

• True connection builds trust and loyalty. When customers feel valued, they tell others. They pray for you. They see you as part of their community.

  
  

Marriage and Relationships:

• If you’re married, don’t isolate yourself. Surround yourself with people who speak life into your marriage.

• If you’re engaged, learn from seasoned couples.

• If you’re single, don’t limit your circle—connect with both singles and married friends.

  
  

Ministry Leaders:

• Connection is key. People need to know you genuinely care.

• Sometimes, all it takes is a simple text: “I was thinking about you today.”

• Visiting an elderly person, mentoring a young leader, or saying words of encouragement can be life-changing.

  
  

Love in Action

God calls us to love. He says we can prophesy and perform great works, but if we lack love, we have nothing. Love isn’t just a feeling—it’s action.

• It’s in the quality of the products and services we provide.

• It’s in a handwritten note to our spouse.

• It’s in visiting a nursing home, taking a child out for ice cream, or throwing a birthday party for a friend.

  
  

Love requires us to move beyond our comfort zones. If we think business ends when a sale is made, or that ministry stops at a sermon, we’re missing the bigger picture.

A Final Thought

Think about your own life. Think about moments when you felt lonely, when you just needed to know someone cared. Reflecting on those times can shift your perspective.

Prioritizing connection will transform your business, your relationships, and your ministry. You’ll begin to see people through God’s eyes. You’ll realize how powerful the human touch truly is.

And when you focus on connection, everything shifts. You won’t have to chase customers or worry about business growth. You won’t have to stress about your marriage or your ministry’s impact. When you truly connect, everything falls into place.

So, I leave you with this: What is your touch like? If you had to rate it on a scale of 1 to 10, where would you stand?

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(Photo: Hands photo by Claudio Schwarz on Unsplash.)