''We should not...think of our fellowship with other Christians as a spiritual luxury, an optional addition to the exercises of private devotion. We should recognize rather that such fellowship is a spiritual necessity; for God has made us in such a way that our fellowship with himself is fed by our fellowship with fellow-Christians, and requires to be so fed constantly for its own deepening and enrichment." (J.I. Packer, God's Words, p.193)
Are you intentional about seeking out people to speak Truth into your life? I am not just talking about the people sitting in the pew next to you on Sunday morning--I am talking about your confidantes. It can look different ways...small group Bible Study, accountability partners, a dinner group, an exercise partner, your closest friends. Who do you call when life is hard?
The fact of the matter is that many of the people in our lives are not ones we get to choose. They are a function of what family we were born into, where we live, our children's activities, our spouse's employment, the school we attend. There is great value in the diversity of relationships life brings our way.
Yet still, Jesus modeled an act of choosing your inner circle--being intentional about the people who are your most intimate counsel. This is not a call to exclusivity or prejudice. The Bible is clear in its call to love and serve our neighbors. It is a reminder to pay attention to who is speaking into your life.
He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm. Proverbs 13:20 (NIV)
You use steel to sharpen steel, and one friend sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17 (The Message)
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV)
Make fellowship with fellow believers a priority. Use wisdom and discernment in who you allow to advise your parenting, your marriage, your finances. Pray that God will give you words of life and truth to speak over the people in your inner circle.
This is your life. These are the characters in your story. Choose wisely.
3 comments:
Congratulations , very well writen and very isnpiring to me as a christian. I live in a very small town by the Brasilian seashore and I am facing several cultural differences in my local church, as a Sunday school superviser I feel defeated by my fellows ,whose attitudes do not show the love and grace of God.
Thank you for this reminder! You're right, fellowshipping is so important for our own spiritual growth and the strengthening of our faith. Sometimes when I feel my well is running dry - even though I've faithfully attended church and read the Bible - I realize that it has been a very long time since I had a good, heart-to-heart talk with any of my dear Christian friends.
In the world in which we live, the voices that come at us are so often negative and either neutral or anti-Christian. What a great reminder that we need to counteract those voices with voices of truth from Christians with whom we are in relationship.
Well-written, Jmom!
We were just talking about this the other night in our community group, particularly how this stage of life with all of its busyness keeps us from developing authentic relationships with people who have permission to speak truth into our lives. I would love to hear some of your real life stories about the people who have that place in your life and how you have created those margins for them. :) I just find if we are not intentional about it, it never happens! Hope you are doing well!
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