"If we claim that we experience a shared life with him and continue to stumble around in the dark, we’re obviously lying through our teeth—we’re not living what we claim. But if we walk in the light, God himself being the light, we also experience a shared life with one another, as the sacrificed blood of Jesus, God’s Son, purges all our sin. " 1 John 1:6-7 MSG
The previous blog in this series called Let Us Run Together spoke on three different ways we can be honest in our walk with God. In the blog I spoke about a moment of honesty I had and how speaking my truth set me free, helped me receive the grace of God and allowed me to be more graceful towards other people. If you have not read it yet, you can click on the button labelled "previous" on the bottom left and it will bring you right there. If you have read it, well this week I want to discuss with you how having a community has helped me, can help you and will continue to help all of us.
A big part of this series and this whole site is to build bridges between the ladies of the world. No matter our age and location in the world we all have lived life and gone through so many experiences that have caused us to feel a lot of emotions. We may not know how each other felt but when one lady says they feel lonely we all resonate with that because we have had moments where we have been lonely as well. With that, we are able to be there for each other through words of encouragement, through story sharing which is being honest, by being a shoulder to lean on or a listening ear for each other.
A while back I read Hebrews 4:14-16 and it tells us that Jesus experienced weakness and testing so He can help us when we need help. I loved that because for the first time in a long time I found a verse that explained why God relates to my pain and is not content when I am hurting. This also meant as Christian we are supposed to be there for our Christian brothers and sisters and even our friends that are not Christian. Second Corinthians chapter one verse four tells us how Jesus is there for us so we can be there for someone else. This cycle of support started with Jesus and He wants us to continue it, even better he wants us to fellowship and enjoy the company of other believers. So, the first way fellowships benefit us is
We Get Wise Advice
If I were reading the subtitle I would be a bit offended because my girlfriends that are not Christian have given me great advice and there are moments where church members have given me crusty advice. All I have to say to that is "It happens!" we are humans and we cannot be perfect all the time but it is helpful to know the person you are talking to understands your physical needs but can also give you sound godly advice. I have learnt the hard way that you do not just talk to anyone who is in your church because they are Christian. Girl, find someone who has gone through your struggle and has come out the other side stronger or find another Christian sister who is serious about their walk with God but going through the same struggles. At times it just gets annoying when you are getting a whole list of advice from people who have not applied it to their life or are not on the same journey with you. Just like how an alcoholic will go to an AA group, find you a Christian friend who can talk you out of going on that porn site, buying unnecessary items to make you feel good or any other thing you are struggling with.
When two friends have the same goals and morals it makes discussions and encouragement a bit easier to trust and rely on. You know they will not do anything that will cause you to fall or intentionally lead you to sin. But as my mother always says "Never trust a man" so even though you do have a friend or a group of friends to give you sound advice always refer back to the Bible and what it says.
We Become Our Environment
Now, this point is scary because if you pick the wrong environment you become something you do not want to be but if you pick an environment that positively influences you, you will pick up on these positive traits. In the past year, I got involved with a bible study group called The Upper Room and there were a lot of young people in their late 20s to late 30s in it. We enjoy talking so we will always have a discussion but whenever you stated an argument they always said "Back it up with a verse" and now it has become a habit of mine to back up everything I say with scripture and it has helped me know my verses a bit more (which Christian actually knows their verses pff haha).
Accountability
Let me just say this again, if you have not read the blog on honesty, please go read it so this section does not scare you. Accountability, the big A that all secret owners of negative habits hate. You find yourself having an honest moment and the next thing you know you have an accountability partner that you keep lying to every week they check in on you haha. That was me this year. I am not going to lie. I had an accountability partner who was supposed to help me not text certain people, start focusing more on myself and getting closer to God but every time she checked in "I was all right". Even after telling my buddy about my lust issues, I was not able to play this accountability game with her. So, I repeat again if you have not read the blog on honesty please do so because though community offers accountability, the community is only beneficial if you decide to be honest with yourself, with God and with your community.
Accountability is having a partner help you keep track of changing the negative behaviours to positive behaviours. If you ever had a moment where you did this negative behaviour you would be able to contact them and they will help you through it and do better next time. I found this part of the community helpful especially when I came around to the fact that to get better I had to admit that I was not at my best and that I wanted to get better. Everything that I am saying in this series will be utterly pointless if you are not dedicated to being honest, staying in contact with your community, being disciplined and giving God time.
I would like to believe we all have had moments where the world has buried us below the worries, the negative talk, the self-doubt, fear and loneliness that we cannot find the strength to pick our own self up. In a situation like this is where a constant community comes into handy, people who have been in that situation, people who know you and can tell when something is off or people you can be honest with and just say you need help and they would help you. Jesus knew we would get tired, we would lose hope at times and we may even turn our back on Him but He surrounded us with a family that the world can never take away from us. It is not only the people you meet at church that are your brothers and sisters in Christ but there are people across the globe that are searching for a friend to do this journey with. As I have come to learn and experience this year there are blessings in communities and within the fellowship. When we all meet with the same Spirit, God definitely joins us whether it is a bible study or just a hangout. Right now, there are a lot of online small groups that you can join and fellowship with other believers. Here are three churches I know you can join that are amazing and very welcoming
Comments