We need each other.
As believers, we were never meant to do life alone. We are called higher than to keep our own lives to ourselves and called to make His name known through community.
Hebrews 10:24-25
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
We need to encourage one another in this life, it is a command from God. To say we don’t need one another is to walk in the pride of self. We all desire to be known deeply and loved unconditionally.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
“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.”
When we have people around us encouraging us we can go further, faster, and stronger than if we were to be apart. God has given us relationships with like-minded believers to lift each other up, encourage, mourn, and rejoice. It is selfish to think you can do life alone without community.
Romans 12: 4-8
“For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ, we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”
You have a unique beauty from Christ that those around you need.
This holiday season is not always easy for everyone. We live in a world of broken relationships, pain, and confusion. Dig deep this holiday season into your friendships even if that means scheduling a call once a week to talk about what is truly going on in our hearts.
This week a good friend of mine sent us this diagram. I encourage you to take some time and process what Dr. Townsend shares in the graph below:
Questions to ask yourself:
What nutrients am I getting?
What is lacking in my life right now?
How can I find those needs met in Christ?
Who can I reach out to in vulnerability to the body of Christ/Friend to get that need met?
1 Thessalonians 5:17
“And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.”
Matthew 18:20
“For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”
1 Corinthians 12:25-27
“That there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.”
Walk humbly with Christ as He reveals where you need to rely more on the people around you. Often we want to be deeply known but the enemy has placed shame over our struggles. Brothers and Sisters walk out of shame and into the light and receive healing through the body of Christ. The odds are that at least one person around you has been walking in the same struggle.
When someone comes to you with their struggles, listen:
James 1:9
“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;”
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
As people come, vulnerable love, them the way that Christ loves us; There is nothing that we could say that would make Christ love us more or less, He loves us because He loves us, and that is it.
Reach out and process with those closest to you this holiday season and fill each other up with compassion and truth.
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