Choosing Your Crew: The Power of Godly Connections
We usually choose our friends according to their personalities and packaging—their looks, popularity, and so on. Those are never the qualities you need unless you are in organized crime and are picking a crew based on the gifts and talents that they need to get a job done. Funny how the enemy perverts God’s plan. We all have unique strengths and gifts, but we were designed to use them to build God’s kingdom, not Satan’s.
This makes me think back to when I was locked down. Not surprisingly, one of the things that comes up when you are doing time is how to pull off the ideal prison break. Several types of prisoners would usually be involved. There was always the guy with the idea or the detailed plan; this was typically the one who could access the prison blueprints or knew the architecture of the facility. Then, there was the guy who served as the muscle, and another guy who could access a vehicle and would be the getaway driver. Every prison break needed a crew!
God designed you and knows what you need to get through life. He can provide the freedom you desire; He has the actual plans, the muscle, and the vehicle. In this case, the vehicle I am referring to is the Holy Spirit. When we embrace the Spirit, He will always lead us where we need to go.
Think about or meditate on the biblical truth that we are created for community. God’s declaration in Genesis 2:18 that “it is not good for the man to be alone” underlines our need for companionship and collaboration. Reflect on your current circle of friends and associates. Do they align with the kind of person you aspire to be? Are they helping you to grow in your faith and purpose? The Bible says, “He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm” (Prov. 13:20, NASB). Are you constantly suffering harm? If your life is constantly falling apart, maybe you’re surrounded by fools.
Think about the people you spend the most time with. Are they influencing you positively, leading you toward wisdom and righteousness? Consider the changes you might need to make in your relationships to ensure they are contributing positively to your spiritual growth.
When Jesus was about to select His disciples, He spent the whole night in prayer before making His decision. This teaches us the importance of seeking God’s guidance in our relationships. Consider the significant relationships in your life.
Have you sought God’s direction in these relationships? Ask God to help you make wise choices that reflect His will. You will never experience freedom without community. Even if you have been hurt by people in your past, you must forgive them and move on. New experiences can help you deal with deeply rooted issues, and new people can help you heal from the pain of your past.
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