What kind of people do we surround ourselves with? I went "friend hungry" for so long that at times I've accepted friendships a bit too easily. When I finally hit my wall in 2005 I found myself utterly alone with no one I could trust with my story. At that point I needed to be alone so that I would turn deeply to my true friend, Jesus. He spoke and carried me through several months to help me discover my heart, the heart He'd put in me. It is a journey I am still on to this day.
But He did not leave me alone for long. He led me to several men who could be trusted with my heart. All but one of these men are geographically scattered; Pennsylvania, Florida, Indiana, Colorado, Oregon and one who, due to his vocation, has been in Germany, Iraq and now is in California receiving training before a move to Nepal. Except for my local friend, we all met on an internet forum sponsored by a ministry we'd all been touched by.
These are men who have spoken hard truth to me and who will also let me speak into their lives as well. They have stood by me when I've hit dark places that I needed to face. They are friends who have, at times, spoken inconvenient wisdom to me when I needed it and God led them to speak.
Inconvenient wisdom, words that call out truth, are not always welcome but because I know these friends are for me and because they really know me, I will listen. They will also listen to me as I offer inconvenient words. I am deeply blessed to have them in my life. I've learned to not dismiss what they say as simply, "their opinion", and they do not dismiss me or my words.
I believe it is in this kind of community that God does some of His best work. We need this type of community. It is not always easy to hear what is needed but I trust the community, the fellowship of these friends and I will listen knowing God uses them to speak His truth to me at times.
The question that is on my heart today for any who wander in and read these words is, do you have those kinds of friends around you or are you surrounded by the shallowness of "yes men"? I am reminded of this verse from Proverbs 27:6 "Better are the wounds of a friend than the deceitful kisses of an enemy."
This is exactly what I have been discussing with the incredible women in my life who are scattered across the country and around the world. How timely to hear it from your heart today, too.
ReplyDeleteThanks Lana. This kind of community is a precious gift.
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