My People
When my family relocated to North Carolina in 2011, it rocked me emotionally. I had barely been married a year, was pregnant with my first daughter, and my joy was under attack. Looking from the outside in, everything was perfect. I had a beautiful baby girl, great husband, the job I had prayed for, but on the inside I was spiraling. I lacked community and desperately needed people. I wasn't alone in this; even Moses needed people.
“When Moses' arms grew tired, Aaron and Hur brought a stone for him to sit on, while they stood beside him and held up his arms, holding them steady until the sun went down. In this way Joshua totally defeated the Amalekites.” Exodus 17:12-13 NLT
God promised Moses that they would win the war against the Amelikites if Moses kept his arms raised high. As soon as he started to grow tired and drop his arms, the Amalekites started to take ground on them. That's when Moses’ friends, Aaron and Hur stepped in and held his arms when he no longer could. Is there a more beautiful picture of friendship? This is the type of friendship I needed and prayed for.
“God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do. Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true.” Hebrews 6:10-11 NLT
As always, the Lord heard my heart. My friendships have played a huge part in where I am today spiritually. I will never discount the power of people checking in on me and loving me and challenging me. But I first had to be vulnerable and reach out, to be vulnerable with what I needed. A beginning is just an invitation to open yourself up toward the gifts and growth that are stored up for you. A Good beginning is half the work.
It is so important to be around people who sharpen you and love you no matter what. Cultivate friendships that push you toward Jesus. If you don't know where to start, join a Small Group. Opendoor has so many different types of groups. If you don't see one for yourself, you can always start your own!
ACTIVATION: Ask the Holy Spirit to highlight people in your life that you should start investing in. He is faithful and will speak.
PRAYER: Jesus, help me to be more like You. Help me to see people the way that You see them and love them the way You love them. Bring good, edifying friendships around me, surround me with people who will lift my arms in time of need and strengthen me to be that type of friend to others.
“When Moses' arms grew tired, Aaron and Hur brought a stone for him to sit on, while they stood beside him and held up his arms, holding them steady until the sun went down. In this way Joshua totally defeated the Amalekites.” Exodus 17:12-13 NLT
God promised Moses that they would win the war against the Amelikites if Moses kept his arms raised high. As soon as he started to grow tired and drop his arms, the Amalekites started to take ground on them. That's when Moses’ friends, Aaron and Hur stepped in and held his arms when he no longer could. Is there a more beautiful picture of friendship? This is the type of friendship I needed and prayed for.
“God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do. Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true.” Hebrews 6:10-11 NLT
As always, the Lord heard my heart. My friendships have played a huge part in where I am today spiritually. I will never discount the power of people checking in on me and loving me and challenging me. But I first had to be vulnerable and reach out, to be vulnerable with what I needed. A beginning is just an invitation to open yourself up toward the gifts and growth that are stored up for you. A Good beginning is half the work.
It is so important to be around people who sharpen you and love you no matter what. Cultivate friendships that push you toward Jesus. If you don't know where to start, join a Small Group. Opendoor has so many different types of groups. If you don't see one for yourself, you can always start your own!
ACTIVATION: Ask the Holy Spirit to highlight people in your life that you should start investing in. He is faithful and will speak.
PRAYER: Jesus, help me to be more like You. Help me to see people the way that You see them and love them the way You love them. Bring good, edifying friendships around me, surround me with people who will lift my arms in time of need and strengthen me to be that type of friend to others.
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