Go Deep

Having deep, meaningful relationships is so important to our growth as Christians. God works through friendships and relationships in some incredible ways! I once heard a speaker say "Your faith should be personal, not private". How true this is! Our connection with God is intimate and personal, but that doesn't mean we can't share that with others.

"Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another"-Proverbs 17.

God has wired our souls to desire deep, profound relationships...It's just the way we are! (for the most part, I think) Tell you what-it's such a blessing to have a few Christian girls that I feel very open with. We can talk about anything (Sin struggles, fears, doubts). They know what irks me, what distracts me from God, and they are aware of my struggles. As believers, we are to look out for our brothers and sisters in Christ.

"If anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdents, and so fulfill the law of Christ"-Galatians 6:1-2

Keeping yourself accountable is a recipe for disaster. While I like to think that I'm intrinsically motivated, I desperately need encouragement/wake-up calls from others. We need people who will not only love us abundantly, but call us out when needed! Healthy Christian relationships aren't always fun and games-they can be really tough at times. We have a duty to encourage, uplift, and follow through with our friendships. (Just a side note: holding people accountable in Christian relationships looks different than our friendships with nonbelievers. I'm not talking 'judgement'...more of directional encouragement. We see where they are struggling and we desire to help them overcome this and pursue a restored relationship with Christ, not because what they are doing is 'wrong' in our eyes) A friend that encourages us in our personal persuit of Christ is priceless.

"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him-a threefold cord is not quickly broken"-Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

God has truly revealed himself to me through the incredible conversations and support that I have found in close friendships. Relationships bonded by a common purpose produce a vigor and liveliness that can't be destroyed. What a blessing it is to have a companion that will share in my struggles and in my rejoicing! Lord, I pray over my friendships. Thank you for putting people in my life that have helped me discover my faith. I pray over my current friends and my relationships with them-help us to build one another up and guide one another towards You. Help me to be a better friend and give me the right things to say to my friends when they face trials. Help me to hold my Christian friends accountable-not out of judgement, but out of a desire for them to persist in their walk with you. What a blessing friendships are, and how You work through them.