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We’re called to love and serve one another, but what’s happening in our relationships? Are they leading us to give God more glory? Are they spurring us on to pursue the good of the world around us? ~ Jess
Who are your people?
Who are the ones you can call at 2 a.m. with an emergency? With whom can you share the deep heart issues and your funny cat videos? Who knows you and loves you for all your quirks and foibles? Who knows the story of your faith and is all-in for you to grow in your walk with Jesus?
Some of us have a list. Some of us a handful. Some maybe one.
This is a wonky topic for me right now because I moved across the country to North Carolina — where I know practically NO ONE — in March of this year. Think about it for a second… Yep! Just in time for the Covid-19 pandemic to send us all into isolation.
Making friends in this season has been hard, and I’ve been struggling with bouts of loneliness for sure.
How about you?
Maybe something’s changed for you recently. Maybe working from home has made you feel alone. Maybe friends don’t call or answer the phone as much as you wish they would. Maybe you’re in a season (even a long one) of rejection. I’ve been there. Maybe your close group of girlfriends has for some reason edged you out. One of my friends recently went through this and it was so shocking and thrust her into a season of grief and disorientation that was wholly unexpected. Friendship is risky. We can get hurt, right?
But, here’s the thing…
We were made for connection. We need people and people need us!
Friendships shape us. They can drag us off track if we let them, or they can pull us up and forward towards our purpose, generosity, kindness, fervor, service, positivity, mission, passion, hope…
We don’t need to go further than the Word of God to see vibrant descriptions of community. We’re created in the image of God, our triune God, who literally operates seamlessly in community. The Father, His Son, and the Holy Spirit. ~ Jess
Jesus surrounded Himself with those who would help Him bring the most glory to God while He was on earth. ~ Jess
I’m on the hunt for just a few ride-or-die friends in my new hometown. Flawed, bumbling, good-intentioned, messy, hopeful, easy-laughing, soul-stretching, life-embracing, and maybe a little wild and raucous friends. Girlfriends who worship the One true God with all their hearts, minds, and souls. Women who are ready to do the unconventional for the sake of the Kingdom and refuse to take shortcuts in faith. Not perfect. But, friends who say “me too” to my heart.
I love who Jesus chose. He picked some wooly ones, didn’t He? Classic Jesus, right? It means that He would and does pick me and He would and does pick you!
Not even Jesus experienced a squad or a tribe who had His back in the most important of His earthly life! But, He picked them. Intentionally and on purpose with full knowledge of who they were and how they’d treat Him. ~ Jess
Maybe you didn’t just move 2,600 miles away like I did. But, maybe you are in need of some new friends like I am.
Let’s reach out and find some new friends who will link arms with us and encourage us in our walk of faith! We’re in it together!
This week in your study:
- Watch the video for session two on our study home page. Take notes in your study guide on pages 31-40 and then stick around for the conversation with our OBS community!
- Grab your Bible and enjoy your personal study this week on pages 41-52.
- Join the conversations about the study and in our private Facebook group.
Scriptures this Week
Exodus 2
Prayer for the Week
Jesus, we love You. We love that You are a Man of community, a Person of friendship, someone who loved to recline around a table with friends and enjoy a meal, and a Man bent on mission with His friends at His side (and even when they blew it when it truly counted). Help us to arm ourselves with a few ride-or-die friends who love You as we do, who are seeking You, and who want to change the world for Your Kingdom! We love You, Jesus. Amen.
