The other day I watched as Jase (2) and Audrey (3) taught Zoey (1) to notice the dinosaurs on her pajama pants. She suddenly took notice of something new in her world she had never noticed before. Intently. The look on her face told it all. A new discovery. Intrigued. Fascinated. Intense. Wrinkled eyebrows as she stared at each dinosaur on her pajama while she pointed them out with her little index finger, each one. And then they showed her the trucks, bulldozers, and construction people on his pajamas. Again, a level of intensity as she realized this very new part of her world. Big sister had spaceships. All very intriguing to the mind of the 1 year old. They laughed. Audrey said, look mom, I taught Zoey.
As I laid them to bed with prayers we talked to God about our blessing of each other. Our time together and how thankful we are for all his goodness. And then I couldn’t help but reflect on the evening with them as I made an attempt to watch tv before bed .
So, I’ll share my reflections with you.
Our circle of influence. How important is that in our spiritual walk. In life. Can we place a value on the significance of the people we choose to have in our lives influencing our perception of the world around us. I’m not sure we can.
A few questions came to mind.
Do I surround myself with friends that draw me closer to God? That push me to lean on his strength when I am weak. That show me grace when I don’t deserve it. Do I provide that support for my friends. As they face the storms of life, do I remind them, Jesus is our peace. Or do I get in the sinking boat with worry and fret too?
Here are a few friends I thought we should strive to find. Pray for God to bring. And then embrace them as they come.
Friends like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Friends that will stare at the fiery furnace of life worst circumstances with you, step into the fire, with one heart, one mind, and one accord. That your God is bigger than the fire. In the midst of the fire your God shows up and you come out unscathed. I need friends like this. And, I need to be a friend like this. I need to stare the fiery furnace in the face claiming victory before my victory comes. Holding the hand of my friends who are staring that same fire in the face.
I need a friend like Abraham. A faithful friend. The friend who says that I love you enough to give you what is your choice as I happily take the other. All in the name of saving strife between us. Because this life isn’t really about what earthly treasure you lay up versus what I lay up. Our eyes are on the real prize. A good life together in the service of our Savior. We need a friend and to be a friend that loves enough to give the other their choice while we gladly take the other option.
And we need a friend like Noah. A friend who listens to God and isn’t afraid to act on his direction even when nobody else around believes it. A friend who says the flood is coming, let’s prepare. But it’s never rained, I might say. And Noah would build the ark. Because that’s what God said to do. I need a friend like Noah and to be a friend like Noah. I need to say to my friends, God says, and lead by example even when NOBODY else believes. Stand firm in his word, preparing for the rains before the rains come, and faithfully working without fail.
Most importantly, I need a friend like Jesus. A friend that will sit at the table with his enemies. A friend who loves the person while hating the sin. A friend who shows compassion and truth, always. I need to strive to be this friend. To love when love isn’t deserved. Most of all, I need to love like Jesus. Love the lost. Love the saved. Love each other. Always love. I need Jesus to be my friend.
Friend, today, ask yourself, what kind of friend am I? What kind of friends do I have in my circle. My circle of influence that I go to in times of trouble or joy.
Most importantly, is Jesus in your circle? Is he your best friend? The one your heart desires most. Is he who you run to in times of trouble. Seek advice from. Learn to love from. The one friend you would go anywhere, do anything, and leave behind everything for.
Much love. Bobbie
